BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A U.S. Postal Service worker in Bloomington is facing more than 30 criminal charges for allegedly stealing more than a thousand pieces of mail, taking money and drugs, and then setting some of the stolen items on fire.

Michelle Crabtree, 57, is charged with official misconduct (a Level 6 felony), 28 counts of misdemeanor theft, possession of a controlled substance (a Class A misdemeanor) and possession of marijuana (a Class B misdemeanor).

Detectives with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office launched the investigation in August after a relative of Crabtree reported finding two 30-gallon trash bags filled with opened packages and mail. The relative also told police that Crabtree worked for the Postal Service in Bloomington.

According to court documents, investigators ob

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