NORTH ST. LOUIS, MO ( KPLR )—
The Postal Inspection Service is asking for the public's help after a letter carrier is robbed at gunpoint. The crime happened in broad daylight over the weekend as the letter carrier was delivering mail. The Postal Inspection Service is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. Investigators and residents in the neighborhood where the hold up happened are hoping the suspect is caught before he strikes again."I'd characterize it as brazen," said Postal Inspector Dan Taylor about the crime.
It happened on the 4900 of Theodore in North City around three Saturday afternoon. Taylor says a letter carrier was delivering mail when all of a sudden a man confronted him with a handgun. His face was partially covered by a blue bandana.
Taylor said, "The carrier was just trying to do his job delivering the mail to residents in the neighborhood and the person approached him with a handgun and demanded his property."
Taylor says the criminal stole personal items from the carrier but no mail. The suspect ran away after the robbery.
Maxine Willey lives just feet from where the robbery happened. The episode has left her and her neighbors shaken.
"It is frightening because you know we're all leaving out of here every day going out- he could be standing anywhere, rob any of us you know so it is scary," said Willey.
Concerned resident Barry Griffin added, "You usually hear about it different, other neighborhoods on someone else's street. But when it happens close to your home, you know, you kind of give that second thought."
Investigators say it's been several years since a mail carrier was robbed in St. Louis. However, carrier Terry Marcrum was shot in the head and shoulder in April of last year while on his route. He survived and an arrest was made. Fortunately, the carrier in this case wasn't shot or hurt.
Investigators hope the $25,000 reward will give them the break they need.
Maxine is more cautious now when she leaves her home.
"We're looking out more. When we come out the door, somebody's always out or we call somebody next door and tell them that we're going to go out or something," said Maxine.
Investigators won't release exactly what was taken from the carrier.
The suspect in this case is described as an African American man in his mid-twenties; six feet tall, 170 to 180 pounds. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt with navy blue stripes. Call the St. Louis Postal Inspection Service or Crimestoppers with any information.
The numbers for the Inspection Service are 314-539-9480 and 1-877-876-2455.
The number for Crimestoppers is 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
