MEDLEY, Fla. — Medley police arrested two individuals Saturday evening in connection with a mail theft in the 7800 block of Northwest 77th Avenue.
Officers responded at approximately 5:18 p.m. after receiving an alert about the theft. Witnesses reported that the suspects fled in a white commercial van with a ladder on the roof.
A police unit soon spotted a vehicle matching the description near Northwest 72nd Avenue and South River Drive, leading to a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Mederos Veliz, who told officers the van belonged to a friend, Ampudia Hernández. Hernández later arrived on foot after being contacted by phone.
Surveillance video from the scene confirmed the van was used in the theft, showing Hernández forcing open a mailbox and removing private mail. During the arrest, officers recovered the tool used to open the mailbox and a firearm inside the van.
Both Veliz and Hernández face charges related to the theft and appeared in bond court on Monday. Medley Police spokesperson Sgt. Luis Rivera said officers acted quickly after noticing the fleeing van, leading to the arrests.
Authorities also noted that Hernández is a suspect in a previous attempted mail theft in the same area that occurred days earlier.
