Lawyers involved in the case of a former mail carrier accused of discarding more than 200 pieces of mail at a Manheim carwash have reached a plea agreement.

Frederick S. Reincke, 30, of 64 N. Broad St., Lititz, waived a preliminary hearing Thursday before District Judge John C. Winters and is expected to plead guilty to obstruction of law enforcement and other government agencies.

Prosecutors agreed to withdraw a receiving stolen property charge provided Reincke pleads guilty to the obstruction charge, which is a second-degree misdemeanor. The receiving stolen property charge will be reinstated, Assistant District Attorney Robert Smulktis Jr. said, if Reincke does not plead guilty.

Reincke is free on $2,000 unsecured bail to await an April 25 arraignment in Lancaster County Court.

Smulktis and defense attorney David Dagle negotiated the deal.

Reincke was working as a postal carrier for Platinum Logistics, a contractor for the U.S. Postal Service. The company delivers mail for two of the county's 370 city and suburban routes.

The mail — all postmarked between Aug. 30 and Sept. 20 — was supposed to be delivered to homes in the Rosewood Terrace development in Bridgeport, East Lampeter Township.

Reincke, who has prior arrests for possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and driving under the influence, is accused of dumping the mail in a garbage can at Manheim Car Wash, 240 S. Main St.

Carwash owner Robert Graybill found about 200 pieces of mail at his business Jan. 16 and contacted Manheim Postmaster Scott Cardin.

U.S. Postal Inspector Louis J. Dirienzo, a former Lancaster city police officer, took over the investigation.

Dirienzo determined the mail was supposed to be delivered to about 60 homes.

Most of the mail consisted of sales fliers, advertisements and other items commonly considered junk mail, Dirienzo said. There also were 77 pieces of first-class mail in the trash can, including three that contained checks.

Four opened greeting cards and a package marked undeliverable — also opened — were among the mail found in the trash. Dirienzo said Reincke may have checked the cards for cash.

Reincke quit his job at Platinum Logistics Sept. 22. He kept the undelivered mail in the trunk of his car for about four months before dumping it at the car wash, Dirienzo said.

Manheim Borough police Officer David J. Carpenter joined the investigation and used official records to trace the recovered mail to Reincke.

Carpenter charged Reincke Jan. 30.

The Postal Service sent letters of explanation — along with the missing mail — to the residents listed on the envelopes.

E-mail: blovelace@lnpnews.com