USPS credits CBS 2 for arrest of suspected serial mail thief
CHICAGO (CBS) -- In recent weeks, we have heard of mail carriers getting robbed. Now, U.S. postal investigators are crediting CBS 2 viewers in finally tracking down a woman accused of using postal keys – and stealing countless pieces of mail for years.
She is even accused of stealing one person's identity.
There was a sense of violation when surveillance video from a Bucktown condo captured someone stealing the mail.
"There was this woman who actually walked into our building with a mail postal key - master key - and stole everyone's mail from their mailbox," said Kristen Graff.
Back in March 2022, Graff lost a package – but the brazen crime left her, and many in her building, constantly checking for fraud.
"This is a real threat," Graff said. "It could be really life-changing for some people."
In fact, Graff said one neighbor had their identity stolen as a result of the crime.
"There was an attempt made to open a line of credit, and they had to freeze their account for a duration of months – which means, you know, that's hard to deal with," Graff said. "You can't even use your credit cards during that time."
After more than a year, there is word the U.S. Postal Inspector has made an arrest.
Kalea Blanke, 33, is charged by the Cook County State's Attorney's office with one count of burglary, six counts of residential burglary, possession of burglary tools, and identity theft.
Investigators said Blanke was the woman seen stealing mail in a surveillance video that CBS 2 first aired in 2022.
"Well, hard lesson learned, but hopefully, she turns her life around," Graff said.
Investigators believe Blanke went into countless buildings – stealing packages and mail from condos and apartment buildings in Bucktown. The crime spree spans from 2021 until her arrest.
"I'm glad that this is something that they're able to close the books on," Graff said.
But there is one thing the U.S. Postal Inspector never answered in Blanke's case or the others.
"How did she get this U.S. Postal master key to be able to access buildings?" Graff said, "and the fact that she's done it for that long - how many people or families did she implicate in having their identities stolen?"
Despite being accused of committing a federal crime, Blanke is only now facing state charges in the thefts.
She was previously arrested for stealing mail in 2019 with a master key too.