Latest news with #mailtheft
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
4 arrested in connection with mail theft investigation
Four men have been arrested in connection with a mail theft investigation in the Pittsburgh area. On June 4, a man tried to rob a mail carrier with the United States Postal Service at gunpoint in Bridgeville. Two days later, another worker was robbed at gunpoint at the Upper St. Clair Post Office. Now, four young men have been taken into custody. Stolen Father's Day card leads to 4 arrests Marcella Swigart said she was scared and nervous when she learned a Father's Day card she mailed to her dad was found inside a car pulled over by Mt. Lebanon police officers on Tuesday morning. The card, which had a $40 check inside, was mailed from her local post office. "My mail was found in a car, and they were trying to link robberies or something like that," Swigart said. Police arrested four men, and the United States Postal Inspection Service said at least one of the men is connected to the armed robbery at the post office in Upper St. Clair and the attempted armed robbery of a mail carrier in Bridgeville. "Disbelief," Swigart said. "It felt unreal. I don't really know how to describe it." According to the criminal complaint, a Mt. Lebanon woman who lives near the Cedarhurst Post Office called 911 to report a suspicious vehicle parked on the road. She told police she saw two men dressed in black running back and forth from the car to the post office. Law enforcement pulled the car over a little later and found Swigart's empty envelope inside. "Why would people do this," Swigart said. "Just go to work. Be a normal person, be a good member of society. " During the robbery in Upper St. Clair, police said the suspects got away with post office skeleton keys, which are designed to fit many different locks. The criminal complaint said skeleton keys have been used at least three times in the last month to steal from mailboxes on Bower Hill Road and Castle Shannon Boulevard. "The police officers told me they said don't mail anything other than a card. Don't send any money. Don't send any checks, use Venmo or Zelle," Swigart said. Although the U.S. postal inspectors said one of the men arrested is involved in the robbery and attempted robbery last week, none of them face charges for those crimes at this time.
CBS News
10-06-2025
- CBS News
Two South Florida men charged in Sunrise mail theft after CBS News Miami report leads to tip-offs
Two men from Hialeah have been federally charged with mail theft after surveillance video broadcast by CBS News Miami led to their identification and arrest, the Department of Justice announced Monday. Wilfredo Rivero, 31, and Fernando Bernabe Rodriguez, 28, were captured on surveillance video breaking into mailboxes at the Sunrise Lakes III apartment complex on Sunrise Lakes Boulevard, authorities said. According to federal prosecutors, Rivero was first seen on April 26 using a screwdriver-like tool to pry open a cluster of mailboxes and steal their contents. Clear images from the video reportedly showed him looking directly into the camera. Rivero returned to the same complex around 10:30 p.m. on April 28, this time with Rodriguez. Both men were seen again opening mailboxes and removing mail. CBS News Miami video helped identify Sunrise mail theft suspects The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) received several tips after CBS News Miami aired the footage on May 9 as part of an exclusive report. Officials credit the public's response to the broadcast with helping to solve the case. Rodriguez appeared in federal court Monday. Both men are charged with mail theft, a federal offense. U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O'Byrne of the Southern District of Florida and Acting Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo of USPIS announced the charges. USPIS led the investigation, with support from the Sunrise and Hialeah police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Killoran is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department said a reward of up to $100,000 had been offered in the case, though it remains unclear if anyone will collect it. Officials also said it's not yet known if the suspects have committed similar crimes elsewhere.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Overnight mail theft hits dozens of homes in Forest Acres, police say
A widespread overnight mail theft spree left dozens of residents with vandalized mailboxes, according to the Forest Acres Police Department. Police say they received multiple reports Friday night that mailboxes on Willingham Drive, Bethel Church Road, Gamewell Drive, Roper Street, and Parish and Rolling Pines roads, were broken into and vandalized, according to a news release. Forest Acres police are investigating the cases and said each instance of theft may be elevated to federal charges through the United States Postal Service. Residents who believe their mailbox was vandalized but have yet to report it are encouraged to call the Forest Acres Police Department's non-emergency line at (803) 782-9444. Police say they are reviewing security video from several streets in the impacted area and are 'following several strong leads.' Whether homeowners were affected or not, Forest Acres Police Chief Don Robinson is advising they review their security cameras for footage that may be helpful to the theft investigation, a news release said.
CBS News
23-05-2025
- CBS News
Former U.S. Postal Service employees charged in $63M stolen check scheme
Four people, including two former U.S. Postal Service employees, have been charged with their alleged involvement in a $63 million scheme involving checks that were stolen from the mail and then resold. The stolen checks included Internal Revenue Service refunds issued by the U.S. Treasury. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan's announcement Friday cited the lead role of the U.S. Postal Service on the investigation, with the assistance of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Labor. Jaiswan Williams, 31, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Dequan Foreman, 30, of Eastpointe, Michigan, Vanessa Hargrove, 39, of Detroit, and Crystal Jenkins, 31, of Detroit, all were charged with conspiracy to aid and abet bank and wire fraud. If convicted, the four face up to 30 years in prison. Williams also faces charges related to money laundering and fraudulent pandemic unemployment insurance benefit claims. Hargrove and Jenkins were United States Postal Service employees, the district attorney's office said. Williams and Foreman were the administrators of the online marketplaces on Telegram Messenger, which is an instant messaging application. The district attorney's office explained that the scheme involved the online sale of stolen checks. The resale price depended on the face value of the check. The purchases were made via a variety of electronic payment platforms. Those who purchased the checks would then attempt to fraudulently cash them. "This investigation represents the hard work and dedication by USPS OIG special agents, working with the U.S. Attorney's Office and other federal agencies, to bring charges on this significant mail theft investigation," Tammy Hull, Inspector General U.S. Postal Service, said in a statement about the case.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
VIDEO: Florida suspects steal more than 200 pounds of mail and go on shopping spree, police say
The Brief The Doral Police Department has shared a video that shows a group of suspects stealing more than 200 pounds of mail. Using personal information and credit cards stolen in the mail, the suspects then went on a thousands-of-dollar shopping spree at Dadeland Mall. Three of the four suspects have been arrested and face multiple charges, while one suspect is still on the run. DORAL, Fla. - A group of four suspects recently stole more than 200 pounds of mail and then used the stolen credit cards to go on a mall shopping spree in Florida, police say. Authorities say three of the four suspects have been arrested and face multiple charges, while one suspect is still on the run. What we know The Doral Police Department recently shared a video that shows a group of suspects stealing more than 200 pounds of mail. Investigators say the incident took place around 1:52 a.m. on April 29 at the Pinnacle community, which is located at 10320 NW 76th Lane. Video captured shows a white Nissan Rouge entering the community. Four males were then observed opening mailboxes with a master key. The suspects are seen emptying the mail into large garbage bags and then fleeing the scene. Officials say more than 200 pounds of mail holding personal information and credit cards was stolen from the people living in the community. Authorities say the four suspects then went to the Dadeland Mall and used the stolen credit cards to make thousands of dollars in purchases. The purchases included several PlayStations and an iPad. What we don't know At this time, it is unclear how many people had their mail stolen. Officials also have not yet released the total amount of damage incurred on the stolen credit cards. Using cameras across the city, police say they were able to track the tag used on the vehicle to commit the crime and later arrested three of the four suspects on May 2. Those arrested for the alleged crimes are: 34-year-old Ivey Marquis Allen, of Opa-locka 19-year-old Guston Malheur, of northwest Miami-Dade 23-year-old Latron Steadman, of Miami Investigators say they are continuing to search for one suspect: 44-year-old Antwan Ronald McClain, of Miami. All four of the men are facing multiple charges, including burglary, fraud and grand theft. So far, the three suspects arrested have denied all allegations of the crimes. What you can do Anyone with information on the crime or the suspect still on the run is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477. Police are also asking the community to remain vigilant. They suggested not letting anything sit in the mailbox for too long. Big picture view Authorities say the incident is part of an ongoing problem of mail thefts in South Florida. Postal inspectors recently offered a large reward for information on suspected mail thieves in Sunrise, Florida. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Doral Police Department in an arrest affidavit, video and social media post.
