Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis informed the public today that a former postal worker has been charged with stealing more than 7,000 pieces of mail – including mail containing gift cards, cell phones, and Christmas cards and presents – from residents of Malden, Somerville, Medford and Melrose.

Steven Bozzi, 36, of Malden, was arrested February 1, 2014 and charged with larceny over $250, breaking into a depository, receiving stolen property, possession of a burglarious tool, and possession of a Class B controlled substance.  He was arraigned today in Malden District Court.  Judge Dominic Paratore ordered him held on $2,500 cash bail with conditions that he be placed on a GPS monitoring device, take no drugs, and submit to random drug screenings.

“For the past three months, we allege, this defendant has been stealing from post office collection boxes from several communities, stealing personal cards, gifts and packages,” said District Attorney Ryan.  “Not only did this defendant allegedly defraud our postal service, he stole gifts and cards that were to be exchanged among families and loved ones during the holiday season.”

As a result of the investigation, police discovered 7,689 pieces of mail in the defendant’s home, 5,156 of which had been opened, and none of which belonged to the defendant or his family.  Among the stolen items recovered were a computer, six cellular phones, a Kindle, more than twenty gift cards, Massachusetts drivers licenses and identification cards, and thousands of items of personal mail.

The investigation began on January 22, 2014, when Malden Police were contacted by a local business reporting that a man, identified as the defendant, was attempting to use a gift card that had been voided after the purchaser did not receive the gift card in the mail.  Malden Police contacted the USPS Postal Inspector, as the defendant was a postal worker.

Through the course of the investigation, postal investigators received information that the defendant was allegedly illegally accessing mail collection boxes at sites that were not part of his route.  Investigators also found discrepancies in the sign out procedures for keys used to access mail collection boxes.

On February 1, 2014, police observed the defendant access several blue collection boxes and place mail into his car, which he was not authorized to do.  The defendant was then arrested by Malden Police. Bozzi subsequently consented to a search of his home, where police discovered the thousands of pieces of mail and stolen items.

All unopened mail is being sent to postal authorities to be appropriately delivered.  All parties who believe their mail may have been stolen are asked to file a report with the USPS Office of the Inspector General by emailing their name, address, the date mail was sent, specific contents of the items mailed, and its value to prossi@uspsoig.gov.

These charges are allegations and defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by Malden Police, US Postal Inspectors of Boston, and USPS Office of the Inspector General.  The arraignment was handled by Assistant District Attorney Anna Evans.

– Middlesex District Attorney’s Office