12/26/13 – Two people have been arrested in connection with a string of mail theft in Ellis County.  Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin says the two were arrested when a citizen called in to report suspicious activity around mail boxes east of Hays.  Harbin says that tip is what ultimately led to the arrest, and he encourages the public to continue to call his office with tips and reports any time.

“We thank the public for every bit of assistance they give us, because we can’t be every place. We have 900 square miles, so we do rely on the public’s help quite a bit.”

Ellis county attorney Tom Drees said the two individuals are being held on a $40,000 bond for the felonies.  The suspects, 32 year old Jeremy Tryon and 36 year old Heather Page-Hilton, both of Hays, were arrested Tuesday morning.

Initially there were 7 separate incidents, but additional victims continue to step forward.  Harbin said as the department continues to investigate each claim, additional counts will more than likely be added.

 

 

Original Story – Investigators in northwest Kansas are hopeful that they’ve solved a rash of thefts from rural mailboxes.

The Ellis County sheriff’s department arrested two suspects — a 32-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman–Tuesday morning at 9:30a.m. after a citizen reported seeing suspicious activity around mail boxes east of Hays.  Both suspects are Ellis County residents.  Their  names won’t be released until charges are filed.

The thieves hit at least seven mailboxes in rural Ellis County between Hays and Victoria earlier this month.

Investigators believe the thieves were looking for cards and envelopes containing cash. They made off with some pieces of mail and left the rest scattered on the ground.