Two suspects arrested after mail theft chase on Sawgrass Expressway

Coral Springs, Florida – A business owner’s quick thinking and determination led to the arrest of two men suspected of stealing mail from a Coral Springs business condominium complex. The chase, which began after the owner confronted one of the thieves, ended with the suspects being captured in Tamarac after an intense pursuit on the Sawgrass Expressway.

The incident unfolded on February 18 when Ulrick Brooks, 29, of Fort Lauderdale, and Jordan Pierre, 28, of North Lauderdale, allegedly used a stolen USPS key to access a locked mailbox at the commercial condo complex. According to an arrest report, Brooks, who was dressed as a USPS employee, was spotted by the business owner while retrieving mail from the locked box.

Read also: Broward County Commission greenlights Monarch Hill Landfill expansion

The business owner, noticing something suspicious, confronted Brooks, demanding that he hand over the key and the lanyard he was using. After complying with the request, Brooks quickly fled the scene and got into a getaway car driven by Pierre. Realizing the theft was taking place, the owner decided to take matters into his own hands and followed the suspects in his vehicle.

The pursuit led onto the Sawgrass Expressway, where the suspects’ car began driving erratically. At some point, their car suffered a blown-out tire, and despite their attempts to flee, the vehicle eventually spun out on Commercial Boulevard. Witnesses reported seeing both men flee on foot after the crash, heading towards the Hampton Inn in Tamarac. There, they reportedly jumped a fence in an attempt to evade capture.

Law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions quickly responded to the scene. Officers arrived at the hotel and successfully apprehended Brooks and Pierre inside. A subsequent search of the area turned up a blue bag containing stolen mail that had been discarded in a nearby trash can, along with other unopened letters.

Investigators later determined that Brooks, who had been posing as a USPS employee, was not authorized to possess the stolen USPS key. Authorities classified the key as a burglary tool, which led to an additional charge for both men.

Read also: Coral Springs restaurant raises funds for child’s undiagnosed illness

Brooks and Pierre were booked into the Broward County Jail, facing charges of burglary of an unoccupied structure and possession of burglary tools with intent to use. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to gather information about the stolen mail and the two men’s potential involvement in similar crimes.

The incident serves as a reminder of the increasing threat of mail theft and the lengths some criminals will go to in order to steal sensitive information. Thanks to the vigilant actions of the business owner, the suspects were apprehended, and stolen property was recovered before it could be further exploited.

Authorities encourage residents and business owners to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately. In this case, the timely intervention and pursuit by the business owner helped bring two suspected criminals to justice.