BROWARD COUNTY, FL — Two men have been arrested and charged with federal crimes following a mail theft investigation in Sunrise. Fernando Rodríguez, 28, and Wilfredo Rivero, 31, were caught on surveillance video stealing mail from mailboxes at an apartment complex located at 9010 Sunrise Lakes Boulevard.
According to federal prosecutors, the pair broke into the community mailboxes on April 26 and 28, using levers to force them open and stuffing stolen mail into their clothing. Authorities confirmed that both men are facing federal felony charges for mail theft.
Rodríguez remains in custody, while Rivero was released on $75,000 bond under strict conditions, including GPS monitoring and surrendering his passport.
The U.S. Postal Service played a key role in the investigation, offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspects’ capture. Rivero was arrested and appeared in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, followed by Rodríguez’s arrest a week later.
Federal officials are cracking down on a growing trend of mail and package theft in South Florida. In a separate case, a Cuban national working as a delivery driver for an Amazon contractor was arrested for stealing packages worth $45,000, dumping empty boxes, and being caught with methamphetamine. He now faces multiple felony charges, including grand theft of cargo, controlled substance possession, and waste law violations.
In Florida, mail theft and cargo theft under $50,000 are second-degree felonies, carrying potential prison sentences and significant fines.
