Postal Worker Accused of Stealing AT&T Rewards Cards on Austell Routes, Arrest Warrants Issued

AUSTELL, GA – A joint investigation by the Austell Police Department and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General has led to criminal arrest warrants against a U.S. Postal Service employee accused of stealing mail while working local delivery routes.

According to investigators, the case centers on alleged mail theft involving AT&T rewards cards that went missing between September 10 and December 14, 2025. The employee was assigned to postal routes serving the City of Austell and worked out of the South Atlanta Sorting and Delivery Center located at 1800 James Jackson Parkway NW in Atlanta.

The investigation began after multiple postal customers reported a troubling pattern. AT&T rewards cards appeared in their USPS Informed Delivery notifications, confirming the items were scanned and expected to arrive, but the cards never made it to their mailboxes. Those complaints were forwarded to the USPS Office of Inspector General, which then partnered with the Austell Police Department to identify the source of the losses.

Through a review of delivery records, customer reports, and surveillance evidence, investigators determined that the missing cards were linked to specific delivery routes. Those routes were assigned to city carrier Adrienne Braziel, 31, of Villa Rica, Georgia. Authorities say surveillance footage later captured Braziel at multiple locations using the stolen AT&T rewards cards, providing key evidence in the case.

Based on the findings, the Austell Police Department obtained arrest warrants charging Braziel with two counts of financial transaction card fraud. The warrants stem from the alleged unauthorized use of the rewards cards, which investigators say were unlawfully taken from the mail before reaching their intended recipients.

Officials emphasized that the case highlights the importance of public vigilance and reporting suspicious activity. Mail theft, particularly involving financial or reward cards, can lead to broader fraud and identity-related crimes if not quickly identified.

The Austell Police Department thanked the USPS Office of Inspector General for its assistance and coordination throughout the investigation, noting that cooperation between local and federal agencies was critical in bringing the case forward.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of mail theft or missing mail is encouraged to contact the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General Complaint Line at 1-888-877-7644.