A man is charged with allegedly stealing mail from luxury homes across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, as well as being involved in an armed robbery of a postal maintenance worker, according to officials.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia charged Ibrahim Emmanuel De La Cruz, 25, of Washington, D.C., with several counts of theft or receipt of stolen mail and an armed robbery of a postal worker in August.
Multiple federal and local law enforcement organizations began investigating a large number of mail thefts at multifamily luxury properties in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region in December 2023, according to officials. According to the investigation, officials discovered that a guy later identified as De La Cruz was using a stolen USPS key to access USPS collection boxes, apartment mailbox panels, and other items. Authorities also accused De La Cruz of committing an armed robbery of a postal repair worker on August 10.
“The defendant is charged with robbing a postal worker and repeatedly raiding mail collection boxes, apparently seeking to use the checks, credit cards, and personal identifying information he stole for his financial benefit. We stand ready to partner with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to hold accountable those who assault postal carriers and those who steal the valuable letters and items we depend on the Postal Service to ship,” said Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood.
According to police surveillance camera footage, Instagram posts, and cell phone tracking, De La Cruz reportedly participated in the following activities:
- Theft of mail from two apartment complexes on February 19, 2024, on the 2300 block of Champlain Street, Northwest.
- Theft of mail from collection box units on February 29, 2024, from the 1600 block of R Street, Northwest.
- Theft of mail using a stolen arrow key on March 3, 2024, from an outdoor locked mail area on the 2200 block of 17th Street, Northwest.
- Theft of mail using a stolen arrow key on March 4, 2024, from the 2400 block of Ontario Road, Northwest.
- Theft of mail on March 5, 2024, from the 2100 block of California Avenue, Northwest.
- Theft of mail on March 5, 2024, from the National Landing in Arlington, Virginia.
- Theft of mail from cluster boxes using an arrow key on March 21, 2024, on the 1500 block of Pointer Ridge Place in Bowie, Maryland
- theft of mail on August 10, 2024, from the 700 block of Parkside Place, Northeast.
Officials also accuse De La Cruz of opening bank accounts and credit cards in other people’s identities using personal identifying information from stolen mail. De La Cruz allegedly misappropriated funds from other accounts to pay for student tuition, rent, and cell phone expenses.
“The safety and security of the U.S. mail, our employees and customers remain central to the mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,” said Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood. “Protecting postal workers from crimes of violence and bringing those criminals who perpetuate these crimes to justice is of great importance. This case highlights the critical work of Postal Inspectors in safeguarding the integrity of the mail and pursuing individuals who commit theft or fraud against individuals. We will continue collaborating with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to ensure that criminals are held accountable.”