Two men were arrested on Wednesday March 1st after allegedly stealing checks and other mail from USPS mailboxes throughout Westchester county. Jonathan De Los Santos Flores, 23, and Thomas Gomez Ortega, 23, both from Yonkers, were arrested by Harrison Police after a days-long investigation.
The thieves were stopped by police and a search of their vehicle produced suspected stolen mail from all across the county. Furthermore, common tools were found that are used to fish envelopes out of mailboxes. These tools are often just a belt or flexible pole with adhesive on the end. The adhesive could even be a simple mouse trap. Flores and Ortega were arrested and then charged with six counts of criminal possession of stolen property. They were also charged with possession of burglar’s tools. Flores alone was charged with a single count of larceny.
To deter theft from “fishing” out envelopes. some mailboxes have been upgraded by the USPS. They have added changed the large pull-down handled door, with just a small slot for depositing mail. The Yonkers Police Department also suggests a preventative measure to address this rising issue. They urge residents to drop off mail inside of post offices and avoid using the public boxes altogether.
The two men charged with these crimes were released from custody until their trial. Their first appearance is on March 21st at Harrison Town Court.
