On February 21st, 2025, Detectives of the Guttenberg Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Bureau
initiated an investigation related to numerous reports concerning fraudulent checks being issued and thefts from United
States Postal Service (USPS) mailboxes. As part of this investigation, Detectives identified various trends regarding the
locations of the mailboxes being targeted and reviewed hundreds of hours of video surveillance footage, capturing
multiple incidents of mailbox phishing. On February 28th, 2025, Detectives conducted targeted surveillance in the area of
71st Street and Park Avenue, in an attempt to further this investigation. During their surveillance, Detective Michael
Turner, Detective Jaber Jaber and Detective Andres Lozano observed a 4-door Mercedes Benz, matching a vehicle used
in various mailbox thefts, reversing into a fire hydrant/no parking zone near 71st Street and Park Avenue. The driver of
the Mercedes Benz was then observed exiting the vehicle, leaving two occupants behind, and manipulating the USPS
mailbox being surveilled. As the result of their criminal investigation and targeted surveillance, Detectives arrested 23-
year-old Hector L. Delacruz-Santana of Bronx, NY; 23-year-old Juan E. Fabian-Valdez of Bronx, NY; and 22-year-old Carlos
J. Payano-Sanchez of Bronx, NY. All three defendants were charged with four (4) counts of theft [2C:20-3A], two (2)
counts of credit card theft [2C:21-6C(1)], criminal attempt/theft [2C:5-1A(1)], and five (5) counts of conspiracy to commit
theft [2C:5-2A(1)]. Upon the completion of their arrest processing, all three defendants were issued their complaint
warrants and lodged in the Hudson County Correctional Center. Currently, this investigation remains active and ongoing.
Message from Deputy Chief Frank Pelaez: I would like to take an opportunity to thank our community and its residents
for their cooperation with our Officers and Detectives. With your assistance, Detectives of our Criminal Investigations
Bureau had the information necessary to pursue these defendants. The dedication our law enforcement officers showed
finding our community a resolution to this criminality was exceptional and is just one example of our organization’s
dedication to the residents of the Town of Guttenberg.
If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Guttenberg Police
Department at 201-868-3300 or email:
1. Lt. Steven Diaz sdiaz@guttenbergpolice.org
2. Det. Sgt. Marcin Rysiec mrysiec@guttenbergpolice.org
The charges above are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven
guilty in a court of law.
