Police: Mail stolen from over 20 addresses found in SUV during arrest of 2 Miami men
VERO BEACH — Checks, checkbooks, postcards, tax statements, jewelry, electronic benefit cards, and credit cards were among the items stolen from dozens of Indian River County mailboxes by two Miami men, according to police.
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies arrested Yasniel Acosta Prieto, 28, and Ariel Echevarria Borges, 37, after a report of a suspicious vehicle stopping at mailboxes off Oslo Road and 34th Avenue Southwest in Vero Beach South.
The two men were charged with multiple counts of theft after authorities found a trove of stolen mail in a black SUV they were driving. The arrests came after the vehicle was stopped on College Lane.
At least 21 addresses were linked to the stolen mail, leading to charges of unlawful possession of personal identification information, theft, and criminal use of personal ID information against the suspects.
The stolen mail encompassed personal identification information from Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, and various Florida counties. Notable items found included company checks cashed for thousands of dollars.
Owners of 19 of the addresses pressed charges against the men, who claimed they were in the area for car-related reasons. Additional mail from out-of-state addresses further expanded the scope of the operation.
The investigation continues as authorities work to identify more victims and ascertain the full extent of the theft operation.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
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Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow @coreyarwood on social media, contact corey.arwood@tcpalm.com, or call 772-978-2246 for any information related to the case.
