Max Amparo
Luis Cruz-Valerio
Edgardo Rodriguez
In the spring of 2018, a rash of thefts from US Postal Boxes resulted in the Yonkers Police Department attempts to stop the thefts of Social Security checks and other valuable items, and arrest the culprits.
In May of 2018, the YPD issued the following release:
Yonkers Police arrest three for mailbox fishing, tampering
On Wednesday, May 9th, 2018, the Yonkers Police Department issued a Public Safety Alert regarding several
incidents of mail theft from mailboxes along Yonkers Avenue. Over the past several months, police in the region
have received multiple complaints regarding similar incidents. Yonkers Police investigators, working with the United
States Postal Inspection Service and law enforcement partners, deployed additional enforcement resources in an effort
to apprehend the perpetrators of these crimes.
Yesterday, May 10th, 2018, at approximately 4 AM in the area of 490 South Broadway, undercover Yonkers Police
officers were conducting a surveillance and observed three males loitering adjacent to a USPS mailbox and relay
mailbox. Officers observed the males tampering with both mailboxes, attempting to pry open the doors and engaging
in “fishing” behavior – an attempt to pull mail out through the deposit slot.
The three males were then placed into custody and subsequent investigation found them to be in possession of stolen and unauthorized checks, in addition to items commonly used to “fish” mail. The males were arrested and subsequently charged on one count each of
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3°, a Class D Penal Law Felony, and one count each of Criminal Mischief 3°,
a Class E Penal Law Felony. Yonkers Police and Postal Inspectors are working together to enhance the investigation
and determine if these defendants are responsible for prior incidents of mail theft.
Police Commissioner Charles Gardner stated, “Mail theft is a serious crime because of the potential for financial loss, identity theft, and the inherent privacy violations. To those persons who would engage in these criminal acts I say this – the Yonkers Police and Postal Inspectors are committed to finding you, arresting you, and delivering you into the Criminal Justice System where you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. These arrests serve as an example of our dedicated efforts.”
Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett stated, “Recently, it appears to be the unfathomable belief you can steal from the US Mail and get away with it. Let me be clear, Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners will spare no resource to find you and bring you to justice, as these arrests exemplify. No one is above the law on our watch.”
The defendants were arraigned in Yonkers Criminal Court. The case is being prosecuted by the office of the Westchester County District Attorney. The defendants are identified as follows:
- Edgardo Rodriguez – age 25 – 1774 Clay Avenue, Bronx NY
- Max Enrique Amparo – age 26 – 1810 Palisade Place, Bronx NY
- Luis Felipe Cruz-Valerio – age 21 – 751 East 187th Street, Bronx NY
End of YPD 2018 release.
Several problems materialized after the 2018 arrests, most notably when the thefts continued despite the three men being held in custody.
A lawsuit filed in Westchester County Supreme Court by the three men allege Racial Profiling, Wrongful Detention and Illegal Transfer to ICE by the Yonkers Police Department.
“Racial profiling can have terrible consequences. Three young Dominican men allege they were wrongfully arrested after being racially profiled by the Yonkers Police Department are scheduled for trial on September 1, 2026.
“Plaintiffs, Max Amparo, Edgardo Rodriguez, & Luis Curz-Valerio were arrested in May of 2018 and charged in connection with a series of mailbox thefts. Despite their arrests, the thefts continued until authorities later arrested the actual perpetrator – a former
employee of the United States Postal Service.
“Although all criminal charges against the plaintiffs were ultimately dismissed, these young men allege that Yonkers police officers fabricated evidence and made false statements to justify their arrests. Video evidence directly contradicts the officers’ accounts of these
events.
“Mr. Amparo further alleges that Yonkers police unlawfully transferred him to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in violation of New York law. As a result, he spent nearly one year in ICE custody. In total, these young men lost over two years of their lives being wrongfully detained.
“Lord Trial Group and The Law Offices of Caner Demirayak are honored to represent the plaintiffs.”
We will put from the lawsuit, identify the officers accused in the suit, and provide more details in the coming days.