November 14, 2022 9:20 a.m. 

A Winston man was jailed following alleged mail theft early Sunday.

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report said just after 12:30 a.m. a deputy was dispatched regarding the possible theft of mail near Winston. The deputy encountered a sedan on Brockway Road a short time later. That vehicle turned onto Kent Creek Road and allegedly sped away at a high rate of speed in an attempt to avoid the deputy. The vehicle was stopped near the 600 block of Kent Creek Road.

All the occupants exited the vehicle. The driver, 60-year old Mark Tidwell, was informed about the mail theft issues. Two passengers left before the deputy could speak with them. A large amount of mail was allegedly found in the vehicle. A pistol was located in the driver’s door console. Tidwell said he didn’t know the firearm was in the vehicle, but admitted to loading the firearm.

The deputy located 24 pieces of mail addressed to 20 separate victims in the vehicle. Tidwell was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit a Class B felony and for aggravated identity theft.

Tidwell was jailed without bail.