RALEIGH, N.C., May 13 (UPI) -- Investigators say that a tip from a meter reader led to the discovery of 100,000 pieces of undelivered mail at a U.S. postal worker's home.

Some of the mail was five or six years old, the Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer reported.

The employee, who worked in Apex about 10 miles west of Raleigh, N.C., has quit his job. The case has been referred to the U.S. attorney in Raleigh for possible prosecution, the report said.

The local meter reader became suspicious about old mail piled up on the employee's back deck, the newspaper said.

Investigators say that the first-class mail will reach the proper addressees.