2 Men Charged With Stealing U.S. Postal Carts In Md.

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Prosecutors say a federal grand jury has indicted two Maryland men on charges of stealing $2.2 million worth of aluminum carts from the U.S. Postal Service.

The indictment announced Tuesday charges 52-year-old Aaron Keith Howard of Brooklyn, Maryland, and 57-year-old Roland Michael Muir of Glen Burnie with conspiracy and theft. Prosecutors say both suspects are in custody.

The indictment alleges the suspects stole the carts in Capitol Heights, painted over post office markings and sold more than 383,000 pounds of scrap aluminum to Maryland recyclers. They received $223,717 in cash.

The postal service estimates the replacement cost at more than $2.2 million.

In a statement, U.S. Postal Service Inspector in Charge Gary Barksdale says theft of mail equipment is a serious crime, and the agency can't afford to replace equipment.