One dozen robberies targeting U.S. Postal Service mail carriers have occurred within the past several weeks, Chicago police said Saturday.
In each incident, one to three armed suspects approached a mail carrier on the public way and demanded by USPS keys “by threatening force,” police stated in a community alert. After taking the keys, the offenders fled in a nearby vehicle. In one incident, the suspects stole a victim’s vehicle by force, authorities said.
A total of 12 incidents were reported between March 2 and April 5, with the majority taking place in the afternoon hours. The suspects are said to be between 15-25 years old, wearing dark clothing and ski masks, according to police. Additionally, they have been armed with semi-automatic handguns in previous incidents.
The robberies were reported at the following dates and times:
- 1400 block of South Halsted Street – March 2 – 1:15 p.m.
- 100 block of South Leavitt Street – March 7 – 2:45 p.m.
- 7900 block of South La Salle Street – March 7 – 3:15 p.m.
- 200 block of North Wells Street – March 7 – 6:28 p.m.
- 9200 block of South Throop Street – March 14 – 12:08 p.m.
- 2200 block of West Warren Boulevard – March 15 – 2:30 p.m.
- 100 block of South Seeley Avenue – March 16 – 11:20 a.m.
- 2900 block of West Wilcox Street – March 18 – 11:30 a.m.
- 6600 block of North Hoyne Avenue – March 20 – 2:32 p.m.
- 1800 block of West Maypole Avenue – March 23 – 7:40 p.m.
- 700 block of South Claremont Avenue – April 4 – 2 p.m.
- 1500 block of South Drake Avenue – April 5 – 2:24 p.m.