2 people accused of robbing a mail carrier in Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Two people from Rochester are accused of robbing a postal worker of his keys and stealing mail last year.

Shyasia Kelis McCullough, 23 and Malik Shameer McCray, 24, face a number of charges in the case, including unlawful possession of USPS mailbox keys, mail theft, robbery of a USPS letter carrier and conspiracy.

According to prosecutors, June 5, 2023 the pair worked together to rob a letter carrier of his keys on Lake Avenue in Rochester. It’s alleged McCray ran up, stole the keys off the carrier quickly without speaking, then took off into a nearby vehicle (identified as a 4Runner) which was initially parked on Birr Street. The letter carrier sustained a minor scratch during the incident, according to court paperwork.

According to investigators, the texts above show McCullough (or Eskay “S.K” for Shyasia Kelis) encouraging McCray to rob the carrier, writing “U [McCray] gotta scare him [the carrier] and make sure he don’t see u again bro. Jus get up on him when he least expected…It 100,000 [allegedly the cash reward for the crime] on the line take a deep breath and jus go for it…He not stronger then you.” (Photos provided).

The two were later arrested in Gates on June 9, 2023 after the vehicle they were allegedly driving was spotted by a Gates Police officer. Around midnight that day, the officer pulled the driver of the 4Runner over. According to prosecutors, McCray was driving, and McCullough was his passenger. McCray was initially arrested at the scene for traffic violations, and McCullough was taken into custody to be interviewed by investigators when she allegedly failed to provide officers with documentation of why she had restrictions on her license.

That same day, officers executed a federal search warrant on the 4Runner where they said they found “numerous pieces of evidence,” including “numerous cell phones, ski masks, blank check stock paper, invoices, and portions of what appeared to be invoice remittance slips, bank credit/debit cards and identifications in names other than MCCULLOUGH and MCCRAY.”

A few days later on June 11, 2023, an officer found what appeared to be the stolen keys in his patrol car on the ground; the same vehicle that was reportedly used to transport McCullough on June 9.

This image was sent to a contact in McCray’s iPhone June 5, 2023, the same day the robbery occurred, according to investigators. (Photo provided).

Investigators recovered numerous messages between McCullough, McCray and at least one other person allegedly from before, during and after the robbery. (Note: no one else mentioned in the complaint (ie: “Roy,” as pictured below) was reportedly charged in this incident, it’s unclear what their full role was, if anything).

Investigators said they believe this text (from June 6, 2023, the day after the robbery) shows McCullough suggesting that McCray gets paid $100 for “every piece [they] hit” in exchange for his role in the robbery. (Photo provided). Note: News 8 did censor vulgar language visible in this photo.

Days later on June 8, 2023, it’s alleged McCullough (named “Lokdin” in this chat) started a new conversation. Investigators claim the “conspiracy” often stole from USPS collection boxes on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays in the area of East Avenue and University Avenue. (Photos provided). Note: News 8 did censor vulgar language visible in this photo.

The charges the suspects are facing carry a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.

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