Two Hispanic men have been arrested after surveillance cameras caught them stealing mail from mailboxes in an apartment complex located in Sunrise, Broward County. Authorities identified the suspects as Fernando Rodríguez, 28, and Wilfredo Rivero, 31, who reportedly forced open mailboxes on two occasions at the Sunrise Lakes Boulevard complex in late April.
Both Rodríguez and Rivero are facing federal charges, including mail theft, a serious felony. While Rodríguez remains in custody awaiting his court appearance, Rivero was released on a $75,000 bond, with a judge ordering him to wear a GPS monitor and surrender his passport.
Two weeks ago, the U.S. Postal Service offered a significant reward for information leading to the arrest of one of the suspects involved in mail thefts. Subsequently, they confirmed that Wilfredo Rivero had been apprehended and appeared in a federal court in Fort Lauderdale on two counts of mail theft. A week later, postal service agents announced a $100,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of the other suspect, who was taken into custody this past Saturday.
According to prosecutors, the men were filmed using crowbars to pry open mailboxes at the apartment complex located at 9010 Sunrise Lakes Blvd. on April 26 and 28. The footage showed one suspect stuffing mail into his shirt and pants while forcefully accessing the mailboxes to retrieve packages.
In a related incident, a Cuban national was arrested for stealing packages valued at $45,000 while working as a delivery driver for an Amazon contractor. He was caught discarding empty boxes in a parking lot after removing the items. The young man faces multiple serious charges, including grand theft of cargo, violating Florida's litter laws, and possession of a controlled substance, as methamphetamine was found in his vehicle.
In Florida, cargo theft under $50,000 is classified as a second-degree felony, which can lead to substantial jail time and hefty fines.
FAQs on Mail Theft and Legal Consequences
What charges do Fernando Rodríguez and Wilfredo Rivero face?
They are facing federal charges, including mail theft, which is a felony offense.
What was the reward offered by the U.S. Postal Service?
The U.S. Postal Service offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the second suspect.
What legal consequences does cargo theft carry in Florida?
Cargo theft under $50,000 is a second-degree felony in Florida, potentially resulting in significant prison time and fines.