Two men from Virginia have been found guilty of stealing mail from U.S. Post Office mailboxes and are set to face prison sentences later this year. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Virginia, Kenshaun Thompson, 26, of Springfield, and his co-defendant Adam Bekele, 33, of Annandale, were involved in a series of mail thefts that took place in October 2023.
Thompson was convicted by a federal jury on August 15 on three counts of possessing and receiving stolen mail. Bekele, on the other hand, pleaded guilty earlier this year, on February 22, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail theft. Bekele’s sentencing is scheduled for October 3, where he could face up to five years in prison. Thompson, who faces more serious charges, could be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison on December 5.
Surveillance Captured the Crimes
Court documents and evidence presented by prosecutors reveal that the men conspired to steal mail on multiple occasions. Surveillance footage played a crucial role in identifying the culprits. Bekele was caught on camera accessing several mailboxes, including one at the West Springfield Post Office. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bekele took the stolen mail to an apartment in Falls Church and handed it over to Thompson.
Use of a Stolen “Arrow Key”
The investigation, led by Postal Inspector Carl Swanson, uncovered that an “arrow key” was used to open the mailboxes during the thefts. An “arrow key” is a specialized key that grants access to various postal boxes, and it is intended for use only by postal employees during official business hours.
However, the key used in this case had been lost or stolen and never recovered, making it possible for the thieves to access the mailboxes unnoticed.
Swanson stated that an increase in mail thefts at the West Springfield Post Office led to heightened surveillance of the mailboxes. “They are often stolen or fraudulently obtained by those who want to steal mail,” Swanson said, referring to the arrow keys. The key must be signed out and returned by postal workers after use, and strict guidelines govern their handling.
How They Were Caught
Bekele was captured on surveillance footage on two different occasions, August 21 and October 1, 2023, taking mail from the boxes. Investigators traced the license plate of a rental car used during the thefts, which led them to identify Bekele. The rental car’s GPS data further helped track the movements of the suspects. This investigation eventually connected Bekele to Thompson, who was identified as living at the same address where the stolen mail was delivered.
Footage from a Falls Church apartment complex, where Bekele was renting, also showed interactions between Thompson and Bekele on the dates of the mail thefts.
Sentencing Expected Soon
As the sentencing dates approach, the U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasizes the importance of holding mail thieves accountable.
“These individuals violated the trust of the community and exploited a critical part of our postal system,” an official statement read.