Pittsburgh police, Postal Inspectors investigate reported robbery of postal worker
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pittsburgh police are assisting with an investigation into the robbery of a mail carrier last week.
The Postal Police Officers union said we're on pace to have 600 mail carriers robbed this year. In 2019, the number, according to the union, was 39.
Pittsburgh police said on Friday that two males went up to a mail carrier at a gas station on North Negley Avenue in Garfield at around noon. They allegedly made small talk before demanding his arrow key, which is a master key for mailboxes.
The mail carrier handed it over and was not harmed. This is a trend The Postal Police Officers Association is seeing nationwide.
"The carriers are under attack. They could be hurt or even killed," Edna Sepulveda, the association's second vice president said.
The association represents the Postal Police Officers. Those officers specialize in mail theft prevention. The association said officers have decreased patrols as robberies have increased. According to the union, they've been limited to patrolling postal facilities.
"We specialize in this, but we're not being utilized because the inspection service chooses not to utilize us," Sepulveda said.
The postal service said mail thefts from the blue collection boxes are on the rise as well.
In fiscal year 2022, there were 38,500. So far through the first half of fiscal year 2023, there have been 25,000. They add that they are working to ensure worker safety.
"It's very alarming. Someone can get ahold of your private information. And for older people who are waiting for their checks to come in the mail, it's a scary thought," Toya Glaze of East Liberty said.
Pittsburgh police said if you have any information of the alleged robbery in Garfield, call the police or 911.
The postal service said it plans to install electronic locks to replace the arrow locks and high-security collection boxes.
KDKA-TV has not heard back from the United States Postal Inspection Service after our request for comment.