Surveillance footage captures thieves breaking into Loop post office
CHICAGO (CBS) – How was a group of men able to break in through the front door of the Loop post office building overnight?
CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey is asking experts about the latest threat to USPS security.
While this was an attack on a physical post office, for months, CBS 2 has been covering threats to letter carriers and mailboxes. But are the security measures by USPS enough?
The USPS Inspection Service released surveillance video from the Monday morning break-in. The agency is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.
The USPS does have a 24/7 hotline for tips on postal crimes: 877-876-2455. All calls to the hotline are kept strictly confidential.
Customers at the post office at Randolph and LaSalle weren't too happy about being turned away by a sign reading "Closes until further notice."
"Unfortunately, it's going to impact all of us negatively," said Amy Parker, a USPS customer. "People from Randolph and all over the Loop use it a lot."
Police dispatch radio recordings referred to a large group of "teenage" suspects that were at the post office around 12:35 a.m. on Monday. Chicago police said the group was made up of "18 men" who broke through the front door and gained access.
"I think from a physical security standpoint, there are a couple really basic things that could have been done," said Tony Dahlin, a physical and tech security expert.
Shattered glass was one of the first things that stuck out to Dahlin, who reviewed some of the footage for CBS 2. He said the door should be outfitted with a sturdier film to keep the glass from breaking and peeling away.
"You won't be able to break through there, so I think that would be a first step that could be taken because this glass can be broken typically, so that becomes the weakest point," Dahlin said.
He added there is also technology that can sense a group loitering outside the building, or even detect the sound of the very first blow to the glass and alert police before anyone has time to get inside.
This break-in comes as CBS 2 has been uncovering a surge in letter carrier robberies and thefts at mailboxes. USPS announced last week that they plan to install 12,000 high-security blue collection boxes to high-risk areas.
USPS also plans to install 49,000 locks to replace the old-school arrow locks. Dahlin said getting rid of those arrow keys in favor of "electronic access keys" is a huge, but very expensive step.
"The return on investment over the course of even probably just a few short years would be more than worth it," Dahlin said.
CBS 2 had lots of questions for USPS on Monday: Was anything taken? And is the Loop location in compliance with security guidelines?
A spokesperson would only say the USPS is still gathering information.