BUFFALO — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Eric Steven Arroyo, 41, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with theft or receipt of stolen mail, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that late in the morning on July 27, 2023, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service was notified that someone not employed by U.S. Postal Service (USPS) was opening up the blue USPS Collection Box in the vicinity of Tonawanda and Briggs Streets in Buffalo. According to the complaint, “someone on a fat tire bicycle” was using a key to open the blue collection box, taking the mail, locking the collection box, and leaving the area. The Buffalo Police Department was called, and a USPS Customer Service Manager responded to the area of Tonawanda and Briggs Streets to meet officers. As the manager awaited officers, they observed a person, later identified as Arroyo, on a fat tire bicycle ride the bicycle and park next to a blue USPS Collection box on Elmwood Avenue near Hertel Avenue, open the collection box with “some kind of key,” take the mail, and leave the area. Buffalo Police located Arroyo behind a nearby building opening the stolen mail, at which time he was taken into custody.
Arroyo made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released subject on conditions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
