Queens’ mail theft problem reached a new low this morning.
Officers from the 112th Precinct stopped three men whom they caught red-handed stealing a blue U.S. Postal Service mailbox from a Forest Hills street corner early on May 11.
According to police, the theft occurred at about 3:10 a.m. at the corner of Yellowstone Boulevard and 67th Road.
Members of the precinct spotted a 30-year-old man working in concert with two unidentified males to move a USPS mailbox into the rear of a gray 2004 Honda Odyssey. The officers approached, and two of the suspects fled the scene on foot.
The officers took the 30-year-old man into custody; law enforcement sources did not have immediate information on his role in the attempted theft. Charges against him are pending at this time.
The NYPD Patrol Borough Queens North shared the news on Twitter on May 11, posting an astonishing picture of the mailbox — still in the back of the culprits’ minivan in the 112th Precinct’s Forest Hills parking lot.
Cops across Queens have been battling mail theft for many months — although most bandits have taken to using makeshift devices to fish mail out of the boxes rather than stealing entire mailboxes.
Last week, the 112th Precinct arrested two individuals who allegedly stole mail out of a U.S. Postal Service box in the area of 63rd Drive and Booth Street in Rego Park.
The USPS, at the request of local lawmakers, has begun installing security devices on the mailboxes to prevent further thefts.
Following Friday’s bust, 112th Precinct Community Council Heidi Harrison Chain took to Facebook and publicly thanked Deputy Inspector Robert Ramos, the precinct’s commanding officer, “for assigning the extra officers” during the midnight tours to help combat mail theft.
This is still a developing story; check back later with QNS for further details.
Outstanding police work! Our Crime Team arrested an individual who removed a mailbox from 67 Road and Yellowstone Blvd. #ITSWHATWEDO pic.twitter.com/464JZZ8R8g
— NYPD 112th Precinct (@NYPD112Pct) May 11, 2018
