Defendants: Shamaty Pacheco (DOB: 10/2/98), Axel Zuniga-Loor (DOB: 9/21/93)

Feb. 21, 2019 -- Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced Shamaty Pacheco and Axel Zuniga-Loor, both of Waterbury, CT, entered guilty pleas on felony charges related to mail theft in North Castle. Both pleaded guilty to one count each of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony. Westchester County Court Judge Michael Martinelli accepted their pleas Wednesday (2/20).

Background

On Feb. 1, 2018, Shamaty Pacheco and Axel Zuniga-Loor stole mail from residents’ “rural” mailboxes in the Banks Ville area of North Castle and some from Bedford. They were stopped in a car in North Castle and were arrested. Among the stolen mailbox contents were either mail that residents recently received and had not yet removed or mail left for their US Postal Service carrier to pick up.

Police recovered over 500 pieces of mail from the car in which they were riding. The mail included at least one credit card, checks, W-2 information and other information containing personal identifying information.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 22, 2019.

Following this arrest, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said, “This theft of mail from rural-style home mailboxes is another example of brazen criminals seeking to make easy cash and, potentially, using personal credit cards, and lifting personal information to pursue identity theft.” DA Scarpino added, “We will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who targets mail in Westchester County, whether from curbside mailboxes or those in front of residents’ homes.”

The District Attorney’s Office offers these tips in keeping your residential mail secure:

  • Empty your mailbox in a timely manner
  • If you are away, either stop your mail or ask a neighbor to pick it up
  • Never leave checks in your mailbox for pick up. Take your mail to a US Post Office
  • Avoid sending cash, gift cards or money orders in the mail
  • More Information re: mail theft can be found here: mail tips

Assistant District Attorney Stefanie DeNise of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Investigation Division Identity Theft Unit prosecuted the case.

 

Axel Zuniga

 

Shamaty Pacheco

Axel Zuniga   Shamaty Pacheco

 

In compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3.6, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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(914) 995-3586