Suffolk County, NY – Three New York City residents have been arrested after prosecutors accused them of carrying out a large-scale mail theft scheme targeting U.S. Postal Service collection boxes throughout Suffolk County.
According to a news release issued Tuesday by the Suffolk County District Attorney‘s Office, Nicholas Delvillar, 32, of the Bronx, Franklin Mercedes, 27, of the Bronx, and Jhosua Peralta, 24, of Queens were arrested on grand larceny charges for allegedly stealing checks, money orders, gift cards, and other valuables from USPS blue collection boxes.
Investigators allege homemade “fishing” device targeted mailboxes
According to prosecutors, the defendants traveled from the Bronx to Suffolk County on June 3 and allegedly targeted USPS collection boxes in Melville, Huntington Station, East Northport, Commack, Smithtown, St. James, Nesconset, Hauppauge, Centereach, Holbrook, Bohemia, Farmingville, Brentwood, Medford, Patchogue, Blue Point, Bayport, Sayville, West Sayville, and Oakdale.
The District Attorney’s Office alleges the trio used a makeshift “fishing” device made by attaching a sticky glue trap to the end of a belt, allowing them to pull mail from inside USPS collection boxes. Authorities said the stolen mail included checks, money orders, gift cards, and other items of value.
Investigators also allege the defendants attempted to sell many of the stolen checks through a social media platform.
Search warrants recover stolen checks and firearm
According to the District Attorney’s Office, investigators executed search warrants at the defendants’ residences and allegedly recovered more than 6,750 stolen checks with a combined value of approximately $4.8 million.
Authorities also reported seizing a loaded 9mm handgun and U.S. currency during the searches.
“These defendants allegedly used a ‘fishing’ device to steal checks, money orders, gift cards, and more from mail in United States Postal Service blue collection boxes,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said. “To protect your mail, we urge all Suffolk County residents to use the letter slots inside your local Post Office.”
Multi-agency investigation
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the investigation involved the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the Suffolk County Police Department, the New York Police Department, and the U.S. Secret Service.
“The charges against these three individuals highlight the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s commitment to protecting the nation’s mail system from those who seek to exploit it for their personal gain,” said Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s New York Division.
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. said the investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished through collaboration among law enforcement agencies. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina added that investigators disrupted the alleged operation before additional community members became victims.
Why it matters
Mail theft involving checks has become an increasing concern because stolen financial instruments can be altered, counterfeited, or sold for use in broader fraud schemes. Investigators are encouraging residents to mail checks and other valuable items from inside post office facilities whenever possible instead of using outdoor collection boxes.
Key Points
- Three New York City residents were arrested on grand larceny charges in connection with an alleged mail theft scheme targeting USPS collection boxes across Suffolk County.
- According to prosecutors, investigators recovered more than 6,750 stolen checks valued at approximately $4.8 million, along with a loaded handgun and cash.
- Authorities allege the suspects used homemade “fishing” devices to remove mail from blue USPS collection boxes before attempting to sell stolen checks online.
