Big Apple Bandits Busted in Brazen, Blue Box Theft

Three brazen bandits from the Big Apple are accused of orchestrating an elaborate mail theft scheme that turned blue U.S. Postal Service collection boxes across Suffolk County into targets, allegedly stealing more than 6,750 checks worth nearly $4.8 million with a homemade "fishing" device designed to snatch envelopes from inside locked mailboxes.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced the arrests of Nicholas Delvillar, 32, Franklin Mercedes, 27, both of the Bronx, and Jhosua Peralta, 24, of Queens, charging them with grand larceny after investigators said they spent June 3 driving through more than twenty Suffolk communities targeting USPS collection boxes.

According to prosecutors, the trio built a crude tool by attaching a sticky glue trap to the end of a belt. They allegedly slipped the device through the narrow mail slot, pressed the adhesive against envelopes, then slowly reeled the mail back through the opening before driving to the next location.

"To protect your mail, we urge all Suffolk County residents to use the letter slots inside your local Post Office. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who target our communities," said Tierney.

Investigators said the suspects focused on envelopes likely containing checks, money orders, gift cards and other valuables, then allegedly offered many of the stolen checks for sale through social media.

"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 U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward.

Search warrants allegedly uncovered more than 6,750 stolen checks totaling $4.8 million, a loaded 9mm handgun and cash.

"This investigation is a testament to what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together to protect our communities from organized criminal activity," said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr.

"We will not tolerate criminals coming into Suffolk County to victimize our community members," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. "Through our law enforcement collaboration, we disrupted this operation and prevented additional victims."

The defendants were released under supervised release with GPS monitoring while the case proceeds through New York courts.