NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — A dramatic mailbox theft in North Palm Beach turned violent and chaotic when an officer was dragged 20 feet, a high-speed chase began, mail flew from the fleeing vehicle, and one suspect managed to evade capture — until now.
According to the North Palm Beach Police Department (NPBPD), the incident began just before 4 a.m. on August 21, when a motion-activated camera captured 22-year-old Sherard Hilaire tampering with a USPS mail drop box in the 600 block of US Highway 1.
The parking lot had recently been targeted in a string of mail thefts involving stolen checks, prompting authorities to install surveillance equipment.
Soon after, officers spotted Hilaire’s Mercedes SUV leaving the area and attempted a traffic stop on Northlake Boulevard. When officers ordered him to shut off the vehicle, Hilaire reportedly grabbed the gear shift.
As an officer opened the passenger door to remove the second suspect, 26-year-old Frederick Lucas, Hilaire suddenly accelerated, dragging the officer more than 20 feet before fleeing.
During the ensuing high-speed pursuit, Lucas allegedly tossed stolen mail from the moving vehicle. Despite hitting police stop sticks on the 9200 block of Alt. A1A in Lake Park, which flattened a tire, Hilaire continued driving — even entering the wrong way into eastbound lanes on Northlake Boulevard.
The chase ended near a hotel on the 5800 block of Military Trail, where both suspects abandoned the vehicle and ran. Police K-9 units quickly captured Lucas, but Hilaire escaped.
However, on Friday, police located and arrested Hilaire on an outstanding warrant.
Charges:
Sherard Hilaire faces charges of:
Aggravated assault on a specified person (law enforcement)
Grand theft
Possession of burglary tools
Resisting an officer with violence
Fleeing and eluding at high speeds
Frederick Lucas was charged with:
Grand theft
Possession of burglary tools
Obstruction of justice
Possession of five or more identities
Resisting an officer
Police say both suspects were involved in organized mail theft and identity fraud, and more charges could follow as the investigation continues.
