Thief Steals Mail, Uses to Commit Identity Fraud
The residents of a Crown Heights apartment building recently noticed that some of their mail was going missing from their mailboxes. This coincided with several instances of identity theft among the building’s residents, with fraudulent transactions worth tens of thousands of dollars – all of which were a huge headache and took many hours of effort to resolve.
On Tuesday afternoon, one of the victims noticed a non-resident of the building, an African-American male in his early 40s, standing near the mailboxes looking suspicious. The man saw he was being eyed, so he left the building and went into his car.
The resident followed him outside, and managed to take a picture of the man’s license plate before he drove off. He then obtained the building’s security camera and checked the footage to see what the man had been up to.
The footage clearly showed that the man was stealing mail. He can be seen on the video (shown below) opening a mailbox (belonging to this resident himself) and rummaging through the letters, putting one in his pocket and putting the rest back. He then goes on to open and rummage through a few more mailboxes, all while glancing around furtively.
The resident immediately called Shomrim and showed them the video evidence and the man’s license plate, which Shomrim promptly turned over to police detectives. They also helped the victims file criminal reports with the officers.
The suspect is still at large.
If you see someone who looks like he might the man in the video, or his car (photo below), please call 911 or Shomrim at 718-774-3333.
Identity theft is a serious crime, which can cost its victims thousands of dollars, much time and heartache, as well as their ability to lease a car or obtain a mortgage.
If you see anyone rummaging through a mailbox in a suspicious manner – for example: if he is a non-resident of the building, or he goes through more than one mailbox, or he puts some of the mail back in the box – please do not hesitate to notify Shomrim at 718-774-3333.
Anonymous
Which car? The Lincoln?
declasse' intellectual
where is the security both federal for the mail and for the building
nearby
I was a victim of exactly the same thing (just a short block from this building) unfortunatly at the time the building did not have security cameras.
This needs to be reported to the postal inspector! Mail fraud is a federal crime.
The police detective in the 71st who deals with ID-theft and larceny is always busy. It took us more than 3 months just to get someone to file a report so we could dispute the fraud. Please, please send this to the postal inspector – maybe now they will do something!
Anon.
Where did he get a key that opens all the mailboxes??
how
was he able to open the mailboxes?
Anonymous
I don’t understand didn’t have a license plate with that you have information
Victim of Identity Fraud
I just found out that my tax return was rejected for having already been filed. I couldn’t get any info from IRS via online service or automated system because when entering my address and SSN got msg I if doesn’t match records….
after literally spending hours in phone I found out someone filed tax return in my name, with my social and changed my address. apparently according to this con artist I had ZERO taxable income (ha, I wish)…. and they received a $5000+ refund check in my name.
whatever I’m rambling…. my point is I’ve been wondering where my mail is lately. haven’t received ANYTHING in box in weeks (at least). After seeing this article I’m putting two and two together. I’m going to the post office and reporting this tomorrow.
find it weird
I’m not from ch whenever I’m visit there it astounds me how you guys leave days worth of post in shared areas of apartment buildings which are not only jewish
if u get post collect it as soon as u can!!!
Federal Offense!
Stealing mail is a federal offense. No wonder so many people’s identity have been stolen!
to #8
I Can tell your not from ch. what is post? :)
Kop Mentch
“Post” is the company that makes several breakfast cereals such as Alpha Bits, Raisin Bran, Shreddies, Coco and Fruity Pebbles etc.
I don't get it!
#8 wrote “it astounds me how you guys leave days worth of post in shared areas of apartment buildings which are not only jewish”
I don’t get it!
Are people actually leaving their post breakfast cereal in shared areas of apt buildings?
That would create a mess and attract bugs and rodents.
It is a chilul hashem to do so in a place that is used by non-jews!
Dumb and Dumber
Did you fail on the IQ test?
Post in proper Queen’s English means: MAIL.
That’s why we make fun of American dummies.
crown kosher
to #3 any other tips?
thanks from #7
Address please
Which Crown Heights apartment building is this?
Yossel
First of all, Crown Heights Post Office is probably the most horrible in the country, with mail not being delivered or (in this case) stolen.
Second, the guy was driving a LIncoln Town Car? Maybe he’s a taxi driver??