Latest news with #mailtheft
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.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
2 Chicago men charged in alleged 2022 armed robbery of mail carrier in Hinsdale
Two Chicago men were charged with allegedly robbing a mail carrier and stealing thousands of checks from postal service collection boxes in the suburbs back in 2022, the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office announced on Friday. Antwan Kelsor, 22, and Maurice Deloach, 23, were charged with multiple felonies, including four counts of identity theft, one count of financial institution fraud—$100,000-$500,000, three counts of conspiracy to defraud a financial institution—$100,000-$500,000, and one count of financial institution fraud—$10,000-$100,000. Kelsor was also charged with two counts of armed Robbery Just before 1:30 p.m. on May 9, 2022, Hinsdale police responded to an armed robbery that occurred at Hinsdale Avenue and Stough Street. Investigation into the incident revealed that a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier was emptying a collection box at the intersection when they were robbed at gunpoint by a man, later identified as Deloach, for a postal key, to which they complied. He then ran back to a black Nissan, allegedly driven by Kelsor, and the two left the scene. According to the office, the stolen key opened collection boxes in Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Burr Ridge, and part of Willowbrook. Weeks later, mail thefts occurred at Hinsdale and Oak Brook boxes. Kelsor and Deloach were later identified as suspects. The office said on June 12, 2022, Kelsor allegedly drove the Nissan to USPS multiple collection boxes in Hinsdale and Oak Brook, where he and Deloach stole mail. Later that day, around 10 p.m., Kelsor's Nissan was found at a gas station in Oakbrook Terrace. He was outside the vehicle, and Deloach was in the front passenger seat. Both were then taken into custody. Authorities found the stolen collection box key between the center console and the front passenger seat and unopened mail that had been stolen from collection boxes that contained checks as well as stolen checks collection boxes and from businesses and residents in Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Clarendon Hills, Westmont, Willowbrook, Westchester, Western Springs, Barrington, Addison, Palos Hills, Oak lawn, Chicago, and Forrest View. The office says Kelsor and Deloach deposited stolen checks into accounts and then withdrew or attempted to withdraw money. They allegedly also attempted to sell the stolen checks to others. The checks, in total. were worth $508,714.88. Deloach appeared in court on Monday and was released on his own recognizance. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 9. Kelsor, 22, appeared in court Friday morning, where the judge denied the state's motion to detain him due to the length of time since the robbery occurred and his lack of criminal history. He is due back in court on June 5.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maryland customers had checks and money orders altered and stolen after mailing them from local post offices
When you write out a check and put it in the mail, you expect it to arrive at its proper destination and to get cashed by its intended recipient. But a number of Maryland customers recently learned the hard way that this outcome isn't always a given. According to WMAR-2 News, several people mailed checks and money orders from their local post offices only to learn that those payments were later altered and stolen. In fact, three customers reportedly had their checks stolen at two local post offices during the span of a few weeks. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Darlene Mclean sent payments through the post office to cover her mortgage and a BJ's credit card bill, but those money orders were altered and cashed by a criminal. Now, Mclean is struggling in the absence of those funds. "I'm without money. Mortgage not paid, and now they're coming after me," Mclean told WMAR-2 News. "I'm suffering from it. I'm depressed behind it. I can't sleep. I'm really upset." John Curtis, one of the customers who had money stolen, decided to mail payments from directly inside his local post office as opposed to simply dropping envelopes into a community mailbox. Little did he know that this seemingly safer option would backfire on him, as the $323 check that he had written to pay for his insurance was reportedly changed to $900 for 'equipment.' "I put my policy number on the bottom, all of that was gone," said Curtis, who wound up having to close his bank account and open a new one in order to re-route other payments and deposits. Curtis has a sick wife and has been in and out of the hospital himself, so this was the last thing he needed, he told WMAR-2 News. The three customers who fell victim to the theft reportedly mailed their payments at two different post offices — Windsor Mill and Arlington Station — all within a few weeks of each other. Angela Powell sent a $420 payment to her insurance company, but she learned the next day that it had been altered to $6,250 for a supposed 'college fund.' "They took my check from Windsor Mill post office to SECU Bank in a matter of 24 hours.' Thankfully, Curtis and Powell were both reimbursed by their banks for the missing funds, but Mclean has not yet received reimbursement for her stolen money. Read more: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis In response to WMAR-2 News' request for comment, a spokesperson from the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued the following statement. "The Postal Service takes the security of mail seriously and always promptly refers allegations of mail thefts to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Mail thefts by anyone will not be tolerated." The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which investigates mail theft, also shared a statement with WMAR-2 News. 'Our Baltimore Field Office was not aware of these complaints. The theft of mail and ensuring the sanctity of the US Mail-stream is of the utmost priority to the US Postal Inspection Service. We encourage customers to mail their checks from inside of the post office if possible, or before the collection time when utilizing the blue collection boxes.' Given that the three incidents of theft above occurred in close proximity to each other and within a short timeframe, there's a question as to whether a postal service employee may have been the perpetrator. The USPS Office of the Inspector General is responsible for investigating complaints of internal mail theft. Following WMAR-2 News' request for comment, a spokesperson could not confirm an active investigation but said the OIG would review the details of the situation. Now, the impacted customers say they'll be making changes to the way they write their checks. Powell, who is very angry about the situation, said she'll be writing out checks with black magic marker, which is harder to alter. "So I can't mail anything without being in fear of someone taking what's inside my personal belongings?" said Powell. "Just because it's going through the postal service, it's still mine. You have no right to go in my mail and take out what's in it, and they still have one of my checks to this day." Powell wants to press charges against the criminal who altered and cashed her check, but she's reportedly waiting for her bank to produce images of the culprit committing the crime. Mclean, meanwhile, is working with the Maryland Volunteers Lawyer Service to work out a deal with her mortgage company. She's now worried that her home could be foreclosed due to the missing payment. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has also increased its monetary reward to $100,000 for anyone who can provide information on mail theft that leads to an arrest and conviction. Unfortunately, it appears to be all too easy for criminals to get away with washing and altering checks in the mail. Normally, a good way to prevent this would be to mail your checks from inside a post office instead of using an outdoor mailbox, but that unfortunately didn't work for Curtis. He mailed his check from inside the post office and still had it stolen. That's why it's important to monitor your checking account regularly after writing checks. Or, better yet, see if you can send checks and payments directly from your bank. Checks sent through a bank still go through the postal system but can be harder to alter because of the way they're printed. Also, when you send a check through your bank directly, there's an electronic record of the original payee. So, even if the check is stolen, you have more protection since you can prove that fraud has occurred. If you can't send checks directly from your bank, use a permanent black marker to write out your checks so they can't be washed. Also, don't leave blank spaces in the payee or amount lines. It's also important to protect the checks you might be receiving as those can also be stolen and cashed. In fact, it's a good idea to collect your mail as soon as it's been delivered — you can even buy a mailbox sensor that sends an alert when your mailbox has been opened. You may also want to install a security camera in front of your home with a visual on your mailbox to deter or catch thieves. Additionally, you can sign up for Informed Delivery from the USPS, which sends you daily notifications by email of incoming mail and packages. If you're heading out of town for a while, you can arrange to have your mail put on hold by the post office. You also shouldn't hesitate to notify the USPS Office of the Inspector General if you think you've been a victim of mail fraud. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? 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