Three New York City residents were arrested after prosecutors said they used a homemade “fishing” device to steal mail from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes across 20 Suffolk County communities, with searches later yielding more than 6,750 stolen checks totaling $4.8 million.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney identified the defendants as Nicholas Delvillar, 32, and Franklin Mercedes, 27, both of the Bronx, and Jhosua Peralta, 24, of Queens.
According to prosecutors, the three traveled from the Bronx to Suffolk County on June 3 and removed mail from collection boxes in Melville, Huntington Station, East Northport, Commack, Smithtown, St. James, Nesconset, Hauppauge, Centereach and Holbrook.
The alleged thefts also targeted boxes in Bohemia, Farmingville, Brentwood, Medford, Patchogue, Blue Point, Bayport, Sayville, West Sayville and Oakdale.
Investigators said the defendants created a fishing device by attaching a sticky glue trap to the end of a belt. The device was allegedly lowered into collection boxes to retrieve envelopes containing checks, money orders, gift cards and other valuables.
The defendants then allegedly attempted to sell many of the stolen checks through a social media platform.
Search warrants executed at the defendants’ residences resulted in the seizure of more than 6,750 stolen checks totaling $4.8 million, a loaded 9 mm firearm and U.S. currency, prosecutors said.
Delvillar and Peralta were arraigned June 5 on charges of third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony, and fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony.
District Court Judge John B. Zollo placed both defendants on supervised release with GPS monitoring. Prosecutors said the charges were not eligible for bail under current New York law.
Mercedes was arraigned June 10 on the same charges. District Court Judge Evan Zuckerman also placed him on supervised release with GPS monitoring while the case is pending.
Delvillar faces a potential sentence of 3 1/2 to seven years in prison if convicted of the top charge. Peralta and Mercedes each face potential sentences of 2 1/3 to seven years.
Delvillar is scheduled to return to court July 23. Peralta is due back July 14, and Mercedes is scheduled to appear July 20.
Tierney urged residents to deposit outgoing mail through letter slots inside their local post offices rather than using outdoor collection boxes.
Anyone who witnesses mail theft or believes mail has been stolen should contact police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.
The investigation involved the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Suffolk County Police Department, U.S. Secret Service and New York Police Department.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Photo: Google Maps/US Postal Service
