Orlando police arrest man accused of stealing mail from apartment mailboxes

Orlando man accused of posing as mailman to steal packages

A man caught on camera impersonating a mail carrier is accused of stealing mail and packages across Orlando for the past year, authorities said.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A man accused of stealing mail from mailboxes at an Orlando apartment complex was arrested last week, according to Orlando police. 

Officers responded to the Aria Beach apartment complex on South Semoran Boulevard at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 29 after receiving a report about a person stealing mail.

When officers arrived, they found Sean Cronin, 39, crouched down, stuffing mail into his hoodie, according to the police report. The officers also saw multiple open mailboxes. 

Sean Cronin, 39. (Courtesy: Orlando Police Department)

Cronin told officers he was "picking up all the mail" at the apartments, according to the police report. However, Cronin was not wearing a postal worker uniform, nor did he have a mail truck, the report said.  

Police searched Cronin and found mail—envelopes and packages—stuffed inside his hoodie and a blue backpack he was carrying, according to the report. They also found a set of pliers in the backpack, police said. 

The bicycle Cronin was riding at the time of his arrest had been reported stolen, according to police.

Cronin told police he steals mail to sell the items for drugs, according to the police report. 

Local perspective:

Mail theft is considered a serious crime. If convicted, it can carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, U.S. Postal Inspector Rick Johnsten told FOX 35.

Johnsten it's useful for buildings or neighborhoods with central mailboxes to have them under surveillance. 

People accused of mail theft are often repeat offenders, he said. 

Sean Cronin, 39, is accused of stealing mail from mailboxes at an Orlando apartment complex. (Courtesy: Orlando Police Department)

What's next:

Cronin was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail. 

He is facing several charges, including petit theft, mail theft, loitering or prowling, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools and possession of unlawful personal identification information of another person. 

Postal inspectors said Cronin is also being investigated for other theft complaints and a possible post office burglary.