According to Delray police, over $1 million was probably stolen

DELRAY BEACH — A mail theft in southern Palm Beach County that led to the arrest of five people on organized crime charges earlier this month may have involved more than two dozen conspirators and caused more than $1 million in damages to the victims, according to Delray Beach police.

Officials this week reported a months-long investigation into suspected mail theft and check fraud in several parts of the county.

During a press conference on Tuesday, July 16, at Delray Beach Police Headquarters, Detective Kimberly Mead provided figures that police said illustrate the extent of the fraud.

More than 30 people are suspected of being involved in the incident and investigators are seeking further arrests.
More than 2,000 victims have been identified, including some living outside the state.
So far, investigators have determined that more than $800,000 has been stolen through the mail theft scheme, a sum that is believed to exceed $1 million.

“This has affected an extremely high number of victims and caused severe financial loss,” Mead said. “We hope this sends a message to perpetrators or potential perpetrators that law enforcement and prosecutors are taking this seriously.”

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According to investigators, the scheme involves several aspects, including the use of stolen postal arrow keys to access mail from community mailboxes and blue mailboxes.

The checks taken from the stolen mail were then “laundered” to remove certain information and then rewritten to a different payee with new payout amounts.

Mead said a search warrant obtained in March 2023 yielded more than 1,600 checks and money orders, check washing and printing materials, and blank paper for printing new checks. Some people involved in the plot allowed their bank accounts to be used to deposit fraudulent checks, with the money later withdrawn and divided among co-conspirators, Mead said.

Accounts with stolen identities were also used to deposit fake checks. Mead said the suspects largely avoided making large purchases and spent the stolen money on smaller items like shoes and jewelry.

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She described one of the defendants, 21-year-old Jordan St. Val of Boynton Beach, as the leader of the operation and noted that he is also suspected in mail theft cases in Boca Raton.

Last week, the Palm Beach County District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of St. Val, along with Dario Cadet and Joelson Gabrius (both 24), Mozelle Estica (23) and Billy Cadet (20) on charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and identity fraud.

Palm Beach County Jail records show all five were still in custody as of Thursday, July 18. A district judge last week found Dario Cadet, Billy Cadet and St. Val to be indigent, meaning they will likely be assigned a public defender or private attorney by the court. It was not clear whether Gabrius and Estica will have a public defender or private attorney.

USPS uses new technology to secure collection boxes and arrow keys

According to authorities, arrow keys have become highly sought after in recent years because they can open both public mailboxes and blue mailboxes, allowing thieves to steal citizens’ checks and bank and credit card statements.

The keys may only be used by postal employees in the course of their official duties and must be returned at the end of each working day.

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U.S. Postal Inspector Bryan Masmela said changes are being made to make the arrow keys and collection boxes more secure, including adding electronic mechanisms that could remotely disable the keys in the event of theft.

“Changes are being made to this system. Unfortunately, it will take some time because this is a nationwide problem,” he said.

“There are certain areas that are more affected than others. In those areas, the collection boxes are being replaced to make it more difficult to break into. In addition, the locks on these arrow keys are being replaced.”

Federal and local law enforcement officials urge citizens to pick up delivered mail as soon as possible and not to leave confidential documents in mailboxes overnight or over the weekend. Checks and financial documents should be brought to the post office for delivery.

Mail tampering and fraud should be reported immediately to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by filing an online complaint at www.uspis.gov/report or by calling 877-876-2455. The service also offers these tips to protect your mail and eliminate risks for mail carriers.

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