Two men accused in drop box thefts in four Mich. counties charged

Two men who allegedly stole money orders and cash from drop boxes in 2019 and 2022 in four Michigan counties, including Oakland County, have been charged.

Rafael Rodriguez, 43, of Flint, and Juan Miguel Rodriguez-Venegas, 55, of Miami, Fla., are accused of taking money out of drop boxes at apartment complexes and manufactured home parks, the Michigan Attorney General's Office said Wednesday.

It said the two allegedly stole money from dropboxes six times in Midland County, once in Bay County, four times in Oakland County, and twice in Saginaw County, officials said.

Rodriguez was arraigned last Friday in 75th District Court in Midland on a charge of conducting a criminal enterprise, two counts of uttering a publishing, and six counts of larceny from a building, according to court records. A magistrate set his bond at $100,000 and scheduled his next court appearance for Tuesday.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years for conducting a criminal enterprise, 14 years for each count of uttering and publishing, and up to four years for each count of larceny from a building.

Rodriguez-Venegas was arraigned on Feb. 5, 2024, on a charge of conducting a criminal enterprise, being in possession of burglar's tools, and six counts of larceny from a building in 75th District Court in Midland, according to court records. A magistrate set his bond at $250,000 and scheduled his next court appearance for April 9, 2024.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for conducting a criminal enterprise, up to 10 years for possessing burglar's tools, and up to four years for each county of larceny from a building.

Authorities accuse the two men of fishing money orders and cash out of drop boxes at apartment complexes and mobile home parks, cashing the money orders and keeping the cash in 2019 and 2022.

"Michigan residents who submit their rental payments through dedicated drop boxes should be able to trust that those payments will be used for their intended purposes and not to line the pockets of criminals," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez