Home » Two Chicago Men Accused in $500K Mail Theft Scheme

Two Chicago Men Accused in $500K Mail Theft Scheme

Stolen USPS key used to cash checks, authorities say

by Sophia Bennett

HINSDALE, IL — Two Chicago men are facing felony charges after allegedly stealing more than $500,000 in checks using a U.S. Postal Service master key obtained during a 2022 armed robbery of a Hinsdale mail carrier.

Antwan Kelsor, 22, and Maurice DeLoach, 25, were both charged with multiple felonies, including identity theft and defrauding financial institutions, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

On May 9, 2022, a mail carrier was robbed in broad daylight at a USPS collection box at Hinsdale Avenue and Stough Street, authorities said. A suspect — later linked to Kelsor — brandished a handgun and demanded the arrow key, which unlocks mailboxes in Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Burr Ridge, and Willowbrook.

The armed suspect fled in a black Nissan allegedly driven by Kelsor.

In the following weeks, numerous mail thefts were reported in the western suburbs. Authorities say Kelsor and DeLoach used the stolen arrow key to access USPS mailboxes and steal checks, which they deposited into fraudulent accounts or attempted to sell to others.

A break in the case came on June 12, when police observed the suspects stealing mail. Later that evening, officers arrested them at a gas station in Oakbrook Terrace. Inside their vehicle, police found the stolen key and unopened mail. Recovered checks totaled $508,714, prosecutors said.

Kelsor was charged with:

Two counts of armed robbery

Four counts of identity theft

Multiple counts of financial fraud

DeLoach was charged with:

Four counts of identity theft

Multiple counts of financial fraud

Despite the severity of the charges, DuPage County Judge Joshua Dieden denied prosecutors’ request to detain Kelsor, citing the three-year delay in charging and lack of prior criminal history. Both men were released ahead of trial, with DeLoach granted release on recognizance.

Authorities say the delay in charges was due to a lengthy and complex joint investigation involving the Hinsdale Police Department, DuPage County prosecutors, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

“These arrests represent our commitment to maintaining the integrity of the U.S. Mail,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.

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