NEW YORK, NY — Postal Inspectors and the Village of Pelham Police Department arrested three individuals for stealing mail from the blue collection boxes in Pelham and New Rochelle, NY.
Over the past several months, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Pelham PD and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Investigations Division, have been investigating incidents of mail theft from the blue collection boxes. These crimes often occurred under the cover of darkness when most residents are in their homes and when these suspects believed no one was watching.
Pelham PD and Postal Inspectors began receiving complaints from the public relating to the thefts in early summer of 2018. Immediately, Postal Inspectors and Pelham PD began surveillance operations to identify and locate the suspects responsible for these crimes.
On October 1, 2018, three individuals were identified in the act of attempting to steal mail. Two were apprehended at the scene and one suspect fled, but was subsequently arrested. All three were allegedly in possession of stolen mail.
Through investigative efforts the subjects identified for these thefts are: Jonathan Jimenez, 23, Luis Gonzalez-Morell, 23 and Martin Reyes-Maria, 21; all from the Bronx.
All three suspects are being criminally charged with a Class D Felony: Criminal Possession of Stolen Property and have been arraigned at the Village of Pelham Courthouse.
Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett stated: “The crime of mail theft is personal and hits home. These individuals targeted communities outside of their neighborhoods, believing they would not be caught and could get away with stealing from the U.S. Mail. Let me be clear, if you steal the mail, you are going to jail. These arrests reflect the continued efforts of Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners to safeguard the U.S. Mail for our customers and employees.”
Village of Pelham New York Police Chief Jason Pallett stated: “The Pelham Police Department has been working collaboratively with the Postal Inspectors to combat countless crimes that have impacted our community. Our ability to work jointly together in this investigation has proven to be very valuable. We are also very proud of our patrol division whose dedication and good old fashion police work contributed to a successful outcome in apprehending the three (3) suspects.”
Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. stated: “Mail theft, and by extension, identity theft, hurts individuals and businesses. For some months, the District Attorney’s Investigations Division has been working closely with local police departments and the United States Postal Inspectors to stem the tide of mail theft throughout Westchester County. We commend the Village of Pelham Police for these most recent arrests. These criminals and others who would steal mail from the people of Westchester must know they will be vigorously prosecuted and brought to justice.”
If you believe you have been a victim of mail theft resulting from these crimes, please contact Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455.