Postal workers robbed at gunpoint in Melbourne, Orlando
The US Postal Service says thefts against mail carriers have increased as crime has increased across the country. On Friday, two local postal workers were robbed at gunpoint, and the robberies are believed to be related. Postal inspectors were in various locations, including Oviedo, talking about security with mail carriers and sharing information about the mail carriers being held at gunpoint for some master keys. Deputies responded to an armed robbery at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of Allegheny Court in Pine Hills. The US Postal Inspector says someone in a black mask matching the same description and with the same getaway car robbed a mail carrier in Melbourne an hour and 1[ads1]5 minutes earlier. It happened in the Suntree/Viera area off Wickham Road around 12:13 p.m. – The suspect demanded the US Postal worker’s arrow key while pointing a gun at them. The carrier, fearing for his life, gave up the wrench, Johnsten said. The arrow key is a master key for the postal service to open up collection and mailboxes, allowing the suspects to be after anything. What we usually see are checks and things like that that they change into cash in other people’s names, says Johnsten. It is against the law to copy the keys. “(It’s) against the law, but can it be copied?” WESH 2 asked.”I’m aware some have been copied in the past, but it’s not very common,” Johnsten said. The suspects got away in a gray Nissan Altima, but the car and some of the suspects were taken into custody in Fort Pierce. According to Johnsten, after the Orlando robbery, the postal carrier was able to provide investigators with a license plate for the suspect’s vehicle. say they have recently made six federal arrests for suspects in the Orlando pill robbery A resident, who did not want to go on camera, says when she went out to pick up a package, she saw the suspect holding a gun to the deliveryman’s head and pulls him by the collar and demands his arrow key. She closed the door. That’s probably a good idea, I’d rather have living witnesses. They did the right thing, Johnsten said. The mail carriers are fine either way. Right now the postal inspector can’t say where number of suspects who were taken into custody in South Florida or how many total armed robbers are involved, but one thing is certain.” When you get caught robbing a mail carrier, you’re federally indicted, you’re looking at years in prison, so that’s something I wouldn’t recommend doing,” Johnsten said. Detectives said they worked with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to to investigate. Enhanced security measures are still part of a discussion, but WESH 2 asked about putting cameras on the mail trucks, Johnsten said they may have to address it. If you see anything that looks suspicious or you see someone following the operator yours, call 911. Top headlines: Florida officers move gator spotted near Publix Missing pregnant Florida teen found dead
The US Postal Service says thefts against mail carriers have increased as crime has increased across the country.
On Friday, two local postal workers were robbed at gunpoint and the robberies are believed to be related.
Postal inspectors were in various locations, including Oviedo, talking about security with mail carriers and sharing information about the mail carriers being held at gunpoint for some master keys.
Deputies responded to an armed robbery around 1:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of Allegheny Court in Pine Hills.
The US Postal Inspector says someone in a black mask matching the same description and with the same getaway car robbed a mail carrier in Melbourne an hour and 15 minutes earlier.
It happened in the Suntree/Viera area off Wickham Road at around 12.13pm
“Investigators soon determined that the circumstances surrounding the Orlando robbery were similar to the Melbourne robbery,” said Postal Inspector Rick Johnsten.
– The suspect demanded the US Postal worker’s arrow key while pointing a gun at them. The carrier, fearing for his life, gave up the wrench, Johnsten said.
The arrow key is a master key for the postal service to open up collection and mailboxes, allowing the suspects to be after anything.
“What we usually see are checks and things that they change into cash in other people’s names,” Johnsten said.
It is against the law to copy the keys.
“(It’s) against the law, but can it be copied?” asked WESH 2.
“I’m aware that some have been copied in the past, but it’s not very common,” Johnsten said.
The suspects got away in a gray Nissan Altima, but the car and some of the suspects were arrested in Fort Pierce.
According to Johnsten, after the Orlando robbery, the mail carrier was able to give the investigators a number plate for the suspect’s vehicle.
“With that information sent to local law enforcement, we were able to impound the vehicle in Fort Pierce, Florida,” Johnsten said.
The Postal Inspector says they have recently made six federal arrests for suspects in the Orlando robbery.
A resident, who did not want to go on camera, says when she went outside to pick up a package, she saw the suspect hold a gun to the deliveryman’s head and pull him by the collar and demand his arrow key. She closed the door.
“Probably a good idea, I’d rather have living witnesses. They did the right thing,” Johnsten said.
The postmen are fine in both cases.
Right now, the Postal Inspector can’t say how many suspects were arrested in South Florida or how many total armed robbers are involved, but one thing is for sure.
“When you get caught robbing a mail carrier, you’re federally indicted, federally indicted, you’re looking at years in prison, so that’s something I wouldn’t recommend doing,” Johnsten said.
Detectives said they were working with the US Postal Inspection Service to investigate.
Enhanced security measures are still part of a discussion, but WESH 2 asked about putting cameras on the mail trucks, Johnsten said they may have to address that.
If you see anything that looks suspicious or you see someone following your carrier, call 911.
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