Six individuals — four juveniles and two adults — have been arrested on felony charges of criminal mischief in connection with a rash of mailbox attacks in recent weeks.
Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin said the six were arrested Friday bringing  dozens of cases of damaged and destroyed mailboxes to a close.
The names of those arrested were not being released, McGougin said.
“They were apparently just out having a good time,” McGougin said of those arrested.
Brewton police credit a break in the case to a Jan. 30 story published in The Brewton Standard. The story prompted a response from students at W.S. Neal High School, officials said.
“Students began to talk,” McGougin said. “Then the school’s resource officer contacted Brewton police with a name and soon the case was solved.”
Each of the six individuals arrested were charged with felony charges of criminal mischief. The felony level charge was determined due to the dollar amount of damages discovered, officers said. Damage reports to mailboxes around the community are still being made to the department.
McGougin said anyone who has already made a police report regarding mailboxes damaged between Nov. 1 and Feb. 1 will receive restitution for the cost of repairs or replacement.
Anyone who has not yet filed a report, however, must have proof of damage and receipts for repair costs to be considered for restitution, he said.
Those cases not previously reported will be considered on a case-by-case basis for restitution, and any fraudulent claims will result in charges filed against those making the false claims, McGougin said.
“Kids out involved in mischief need to realize what they are doing could result in felony charges,” McGougin said. “Young people need to know that damage to the property of others will not be tolerated.