Worker Charged with Stealing From Massapequa Park Post Office
Uniondale man accused of taking cash and DVDs
A worker at the Massapequa Park Post Office has been arrested for stealing money and property from customers, Nassau County prosecutors said Thursday.
Harold Gutierrez, 49, of Uniondale is accused of pocketing $1,471 by improperly ringing up customers.
Gutierrez allegely entered false customer transactions, or would omit retail transactions entirely.
He kept the money to pay personal expenses, prosecutors said. He also admitted to stealing DVDs from Netflix and Blockbuster mailings.
Gutierrez was charged with grand larceny, falsifying business records and criminal possession of stolen property.
The arrest came after an internal investigation by the Post office, a law enforcement source said.
A call to the Postal Service Inspector General's Office was not immediately returned.
In addition to Guttirez' arrest, two other postal workers, Lisa Jiminez, 45, of the Bronx, and Rita Haynes, 56, of Roosevelt were charged with stealing money from the Uniondale and Hicksville Post Offices respectively in separate incidents.
SENSUAL LINGERIE SHOP
1:12 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
what a shame...he has worked there for such a long time and has always been so helpful....sad times we live in
Franken Harpo
1:14 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Grand larceny, falsifying business records and criminal possession of stolen property...
The best way for the USPS to cut payroll.
Get rid of the criminals.
Nice job!
Franken Harpo
1:22 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
FROM THE LONG ISLAND PRESS:
United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General uncovered the allegations and referred the case to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.
Nassau County prosecutors said that Gutierrez stole $1,471 from the Massapequa Park Post Office by improperly ringing up customers and keeping the cash for himself between July 2010 and September 2011. He also allegedly stole DVDs from Netflix and Blockbuster mailings.
Gutierrez is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/02/09/3-li-postal-workers-charged-with-stealing-4k/
Kristen Ferrari
2:39 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
What a shame. He was always so helpful and friendly. I can't imagine he thinks it was worth it and its sad to see him get himself caught up in something like that and now lose his job and face jail and legal fees. So sad to see.
Deborah DiVirgilio
4:24 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I agree, he was always smiling and helpful! What was he thinking??????
Tracie rivezzo
4:42 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
He was always smiling and helpful. We would even joke around. He didn't seem like himself last few months. I wouldn't think he just needed the cash.
kevin woods
5:17 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Good luck in your next career
Melissa Zicht Justi
7:11 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I can't believe it!!! He was so nice to me and my children when we came in. We used to joke around and he used to say funny things about the post office. Very very sad.....
Pequa Mom
9:15 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
I agree with everyone! He was always extremely helpful, smiling, friendly, and appeared to love his job…..something that doesn’t always come across in customer service these days. I hope that the Post Office investigates the possible cause of his actions. I understand that the charges are criminal (so I’m not excusing his actions), but it wasn’t a large sum of money…and I don’t understand the DVDs…so maybe there was something else going on. The Federal Government has programs that employees can enter, but now that criminal charges have been lodged (although he is innocent until proven guilty), I’m not sure he will be eligible. Such a shame!
Dick Blair
9:55 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
"...extremely helpful, smiling, friendly, and appeared to love his job…" the modus operandi of the con artist.
He was especially helpful, smiling and friendly to all the patrons that he took the Netflix and Blockbuster mailings.
Gina Serra DiBartolo
9:49 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
What a shame. Harold was so nice and helpful. You just don't know who you can trust!
Ken
2:22 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Life could be very tough on some. We do not know what desperation he faced. If this is his first offense, I hope they are lenient on him. Knowing the Federal Government, that just may be a dream. I wish him the best.
Steve
8:33 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Yes he was always helpful and courteous. Mostly everyone that works there have excellent cutomer service skills. Not making excuses for him , but it is a sign of the times. These postal workers do not make much money compared to most people and it sometimes can lead good people to do stupid things.
MASSAPEQUA mom
7:40 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Steve,
..."not making much money" is never a justification for crime. Crossing that line is a lack of conscience,that is, a weak character . Of course he is " innocent until proven guilty", but let's not forget that con artists consistently manifest a friendly personality. I am disappointed and angry that we all were fooled, and others were victimized by him.