A man is accused of possibly stealing valuable packages during the holidays from a Miami apartment building.
Roberto Ortiz faces charges related to the theft of the packages from a mailroom at the building on NW 16th Street in Miami.
Some of the packages Ortiz is accused of stealing were likely holiday gifts. He appeared in bond court on Wednesday.
An arrest report said Ortiz is seen in surveillance video going into the building's mailroom empty-handed but walking out with several boxes and packages. None of the packages were addressed to him, officials said.
“One of the boxes there were sneakers worth $70, the other box it was vitamins that were stolen likely under $300," prosecutor Nessa Eth said. “I don’t know about you, your honor, but when I get something shipped I check online to see when it’s coming – I’d be very upset if my sneakers weren’t there, and I think that mail theft at around this time of the season is a particular problem.”
Ortiz told Miami-Dade Judge Mindy Glazer that he's unemployed and lives with his wife and children.
“That’s not a real good example to give for children, getting arrested and sitting in jail for stealing packages that don’t belong to you," Glazer replied.
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Ortiz could face more charges as detectives talk to more victims. He is held on a $1,000 bond.
