Stash of undelivered packages found during routine traffic stop, GA cops say

A traffic stop involving faulty brake lights turned into a felony investigation when dozens of undelivered packages were discovered in a woman’s car, according to police in Georgia.

The packages — some sealed, some opened and some emptied — were all addressed to someone other than the driver, Kennesaw police said in an April 1 affidavit.

Forty people are listed as potential victims in the case, though the driver is currently facing only three counts of felony theft by possession of stolen mail, the affidavit shows.

Investigators are still tracking down the dozens of other intended recipients to determine whether they were victimized, police said.

How the investigation started

The Kennesaw Police Department says the investigation began March 21 when one of its officers stopped a Chevrolet Trailblazer for having no brake lights.

“The odor of marijuana coming from her vehicle” prompted a search, which revealed 26 unopened packages, 14 opened packages and 19 items not in their original packaging, police said.

Nearly 20 other “brand-new items were located but had no shipping package,” police said.

“I asked (the suspect) about the packages in the vehicle, and she stated that she was a delivery driver for a delivery company,” the affidavit reports.

“(She) could not provide an ID card, a contract, a pay stub, or any documentation linking her to (the company).”

When questioned about opened packages and stray items, the driver said the company has a dumpster for “returned items” and she had been rummaging through the trash, police said.

Three victims contacted

Investigators said they contacted three people listed on packages in the vehicle and discovered they had never received items on the expected delivery dates.

“All three victims wished to prosecute the theft of their packages,” police said.

“Contact was not made with the other victims in this case, so charges were not pursued at this time. All of the packages were processed into evidence and were secured in the CID building.”

In addition to three charges of felony theft by possession of stolen mail, the driver was charged with violating brake light/turn signal requirements, police said.

Kennesaw is about a 25-mile drive northwest of Atlanta.

This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 2:40 PM with the headline "Stash of undelivered packages found during routine traffic stop, GA cops say."