AVENTURA, Fla. – A 33-year-old man from Broward County has been arrested following a series of mail thefts targeting tile businesses in Sweetwater. Authorities say Courtney Martavius Ivory, from Lauderdale Lakes, was apprehended early Sunday morning after he was caught tampering with mailboxes at the Roca Tile Company, located at 11190 NW 25th St.
According to an arrest report obtained by Local 10 News, the Sweetwater Police Department had been investigating multiple incidents of mail theft after surveillance footage captured a black SUV, believed to be a Chevrolet Tahoe, approaching the mail cluster outside the business. The thefts occurred between Feb. 24 and March 15, with the incidents consistently happening between 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.
Surveillance video showed Ivory exiting the driver’s side of the vehicle, using a key to unlock the main mailbox and removing mail, which included personal documents, bank information, and checks. The stolen materials were placed in the passenger seat of the SUV before Ivory drove away.
At about 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, detectives set up surveillance around the area, where they spotted a black Tahoe matching the description of the suspect vehicle. As officers approached, Ivory noticed them and attempted to flee, leaving the driver’s side door open. He was captured shortly after on Northwest 112th Avenue.
Upon searching the vehicle, detectives found stolen mail belonging to Roca Tile and Laufen Tile International, along with banking documents and personal identification numbers. Additionally, Ivory was found in possession of three “arrow keys” — specialized keys used by U.S. Postal Service employees to access centralized mailboxes. Ivory allegedly attempted to discard the keys while fleeing, which authorities confirmed are considered stolen if not in the possession of authorized personnel.
Ivory was identified through his Florida driver’s license, and his 2024 black Chevrolet Tahoe was connected to the thefts through license plate reader data. The vehicle was impounded, and U.S. Postal Inspectors will review it.
Ivory is facing multiple charges, including:
Eight counts of fraudulent use or possession of personal identification
One count of dealing in stolen property
Five counts of petty theft
He is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with his bond pending.
