USPS Mail Carriers in Chicago and Columbus Targeted in String of Armed Robberies

Postal carriers in Chicago have been robbed at gunpoint at least 12 times in the last month, with one to three armed robbers approaching carriers on the public way during the afternoon and demanding their postal keys before fleeing in a waiting vehicle. The robbers are described as African American males, 15 to 25 years of age, wearing dark clothing and ski masks, and are armed with semi-automatic handguns. The robberies raise concerns for the safety of the carriers and the security of the public, whose personal information could be compromised.