Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Warsaw man was arrested after allegedly trying to steal from someone using the mail system.
Ted W. Connors, 60, of 109 N. Washington St., apt. D, Warsaw, is charged with attempted theft, a level 6 felony; possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana, a class C misdemeanor.
He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 24 on a $5,250 preliminary bond. He has since posted bond.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Oct. 23 a Warsaw Police Department detective was provided information from a postal inspector from the Fort Wayne office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The inspector told the detective a package was being overnighted from Iowa and would arrive in Warsaw on Oct. 23. Connors was tracking the package. The detective was familiar with Connors’ involvement with different alleged reported theft and scams through the postal system and the detective had previously spoken with Connors, who had said he was done working with scammers to swindle people out of money.
The detective learned the mail was sent from Davenport, Iowa, and was provided a photo of the mail piece, which had been addressed to Connors.
The victim spoke with the Blue Grass Police Department chief and said she sent $1,500 in cash to Connors, believing she was receiving a $100,000 grant in return, according to court documents.
On or about Oct. 24, when the detective went to talk to Connors and he opened the door, the detective saw in plain view a marijuana pipe sitting on a table near the bed. The detective informed Connors he wanted to search the apartment after seeing the pipe. Connors consented to the search. Law enforcement located a wooden dugout with plant residue, metal grinders with plant residue and various smoking devices with burnt plant residue.
Connors was transported to the WPD for an interview.
Connors said that on or about Oct. 22, he was notified that he was getting a package of $1,500. Connors said that “everything” started “quite a few years ago” when a girl contacted him needing money for a way home. Over the course of several years, he would send money to her, including money that belonged to other people.
When asked how often he sent money belonging to other people, Connors said he lost count. Connors estimated each time would be in the amount of about $1,000.
Connors stated he checked tracking for the most recent package a couple times on Oct. 22. Connors cancelled the package after being confronted by the postal inspector. Connors communicated with a third party in the scam and further deleted these text messages prior to law enforcement being able to view them. Connors further tracked the package the day of its scheduled arrival.
Connors also said he was given marijuana by “good friends” who would go out of state to get marijuana.
