Wilfredo Rivero, a 31-year-old man, has been apprehended in connection with a series of mail thefts at a Sunrise apartment complex, federal authorities announced. According to Local 10, Rivero was arrested after a video was released that showed him and another individual forcefully opening mailboxes and removing contents.
The incident, which took place last month on April 26 and 28 has led to Rivero facing two distinct charges of mail theft. Despite having altered his appearance by shaving his head, authorities were able to identify Rivero by his unique tattoos during a stakeout of his mother's property in Hialeah. According to federal records, Rivero resides just about a mile away from the scene of the crime, at 9010 Sunrise Lakes Blvd.
In early May, the surveillance video was circulated to news outlets across South Florida, prompting "several" public tips on the suspects' identities. This coverage spearheaded a more focused inquiry by postal inspectors that eventually ensnared Rivero.
Moreover, Rivero appeared to incriminate himself during a conversation with an informant, admitting his presence on the news footage. A tipster, furthermore, informed authorities that Rivero had sought refuge at his mother's Hialeah home after the video's release. He was subsequently arrested and is now held in Broward Main Jail, awaiting further judicial proceedings. As reported by Crime Watch Miami on Instagram, a magistrate judge has set his bond at $75,000. If Rivero is released, he will have to adhere to several court-imposed restrictions which include GPS monitoring and surrendering his passport.
