Charges Filed In Thefts Of US Mail, Armed Robbery Of Postal Workers

WASHINGTON, DC — A 25-year-old District man is facing a 43-page criminal complaint in connection to a string of high-volume thefts of U.S. Mail in Washington, D.C.; Arlington, Virginia; and Bowie, Maryland, according to court records.

The criminal complaint, which was filed in September, also says that Ibrahim Emmanuel De La Cruz commited the armed robbery of a postal maintenance workers. He faces multiple charges of the theft or receipt of stolen mail, as well as an armed robbery charge.

“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,” according to the criminal complaint. “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.”

Beginning in December 2023, multiple federal law enforcement agencies and police departments in Arlington and D.C. started investigating a series of mail thefts from multi-family residences and robberies of mail carriers throughout the Washington Metropolitan area, according to court documents.

Investigators determined that the suspect in the mail thefts used stolen U.S. Postal Service “arrow keys” to gain access to “USPS collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, cluster box units, and apartment mailbox panels,” court documents say.

The suspect in the thefts matched the description of a man who stole a postal worker’s arrow keys on Aug. 10. During that incident, he flashed a pistol that was tucked into his waistband, authorities say.

Through surveillance footage, as well as Instagram posts, and cellphone tracking, investigators linked De La Cruz to the following incidents:

• Theft of mail at two apartment complexes on Feb. 19, in the 2300 block of Champlain Street NW in Washington, D.C.;
• Theft of mail from collection box units on Feb. 29, in the 1600 block of R Street NW, in Washington, D.C.;
• Theft of mail using a stolen arrow key on March 3, from an outdoor locked mail area on the 2200 block of 17th Street NW, in Washington, D.C.;
• Theft of mail using a stolen arrow key on March 4, from the 2400 block of Ontario Road, NW in Washington, D.C.;
• Theft of mail on March 5 from the 2100 block of California Avenue NW, in Washington D.C.;
• Theft of mail on March 5, from the National Landing in Arlington;
• Theft of mail from cluster boxes using an arrow key on March 21, in the 1500 block of Pointer Ridge Place in Bowie;
• Theft of mail on Aug. 10, from the 700 block of Parkside Place, NE in Washington, D.C.

In addition, the complaint says De La Cruz is suspected of using personal identifying information taken from stolen mail to access bank accounts and credit cards in other people’s names. Authorities say that De La Cruz used money stolen from those accounts to pay for student tuition, rent, utilities, and cellphone bills. He also posted a rap on YouTube in which he boasts about his exploits.

“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.”