Medley, Florida – Two men were taken into custody following an alleged mail theft incident that unfolded Saturday evening in Medley, according to the Medley Police Department. Authorities say quick coordination between witnesses, patrol officers, and surveillance review led to the arrests within minutes of the reported crime.
Incident Reported on Northwest 77th Avenue
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, at approximately 5:18 p.m., Medley Police received an alert regarding a suspected mail theft in the 7800 block of Northwest 77th Avenue. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a man forcibly opening a mailbox and removing mail before fleeing the area.
According to police, witnesses also provided a key detail — the suspect escaped in a white commercial van with a ladder mounted on the roof.
Patrol Officers Locate Suspect Vehicle
Just minutes after the initial report, a Medley Police unit patrolling nearby streets observed a vehicle matching the description. The van was seen blocking an intersection near Northwest 72nd Avenue and South River Drive, prompting officers to initiate a traffic stop.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Mederos Veliz. During questioning, Veliz told officers that the van belonged to a friend, later identified as Ampudia Hernández.
Second Suspect Returnsing Arrest
During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered:
- The tool allegedly used to pry open the mailbox
- A firearm located inside the van
Based on the evidence and surveillance footage, both Veliz and Ampudia Hernández were taken into custody.
Suspect Linked to Earlier Attempted Theft
Police also confirmed that Ampudia Hernández is a suspect in a previous attempted mail theft that occurred days earlier in the same area, raising concerns about repeated criminal activity targeting local mailboxes.
Medley Police spokesperson Sgt. Luis Rivera explained the rapid response, stating:
“When officers responded, they realized a van with the same characteristics was fleeing the scene, which is when they conducted the stop.”
Court Appearance and Ongoing Investigation
Both suspects appeared in bond court on Monday and are facing charges related to mail theft and possession of evidence connected to the crime. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges as the investigation continues.
Police urge residents to report suspicious activity immediately and to check security cameras if they believe they may have been affected by mail theft in the area.
