Mail theft has unfortunately become a distressing issue for a business owner in Northwest Miami-Dade, Florida. Frustration and concern are mounting as this crime continues to plague the area.
In January 2023, Warren Gerstein captured and shared a video with 7News, showcasing a thief skillfully using a key to pilfer mail from post boxes outside an office building situated at Plaza 68 in Northwest Miami-Dade.
The thief managed to flee with various items, including checks worth several thousand dollars.
In 2023, the initial series of thefts unveiled surveillance footage capturing the thief, armed with a key, striking the bank of mailboxes at the building.
Gerstein is aware that a crime is taking place, although he hasn’t been able to capture it on camera this time.
Gerstein expressed his concern, stating, “This is happening again. Normally, we receive 140 checks a month, but in May, we only received 21.”
Gerstein states that his employees are still unable to receive their pay as the checks continue to be stolen, washed, and cashed.
Thieves continue to carry out a series of crimes similar to those committed last year. They intercept checks, alter the payee’s name, and successfully cash them in.
Gerstein’s customers are now being instructed to cancel their checks, retrieve their funds, and issue new checks.
According to Gerstein, the company currently has $180,000 invested in that process, which is $80,000 more than the amount lost last year.
Gerstein explained that the check, originally made out to them, had been stolen from their mail and altered with a different name. The altered check was then deposited into a Fidelity account. Gerstein expressed shock at how easily these manipulated checks could be cashed, allowing the perpetrators to get away with it repeatedly.
Gerstein lodged a complaint with the U.S. Postal Service.
The Postal Inspection Service was referred to by USPS. A spokesperson from the service mentioned that an investigator will be reaching out to Gerstein regarding the thefts.
7News was also provided with a statement that reads:
“The U.S. Postal Service remains committed to safe and efficient delivery of mail and goods.”Dr. Ivan J. Ramirez, MPA, Postal Inspector/Federal Agent with United States Postal Inspection Service
In response to concerns regarding the possession of postal keys by criminals, they have acknowledged, “We have discovered that many of these ‘keys’ were actually counterfeit items created using a variety of materials.”
Gerstein emphasized the importance of finding a lasting solution to the issue at hand.
According to a spokesperson, they are currently in the process of developing a more secure system for mailboxes nationwide.
Gerstein is hopeful that the plan will be implemented in the near future.
Gerstein expressed how challenging the situation has been for businesses, stating, “At the end of the day, this is really hard on us. It’s a web of issues that we are dealing with, and it is draining both financially and emotionally.”
In his statement to 7News, Gerstein mentioned that he is currently in ongoing communication with the Postal Inspection Service to develop a more robust and secure system.
To ensure the safety of your mail, the Postal Inspection Service strongly recommends collecting it daily and avoiding leaving it overnight in the mailbox.
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