Feds investigate robbery of U.S. Postal Service letter carrier in Fort Pierce

FORT PIERCE — Law enforcement officials are asking for help in finding a man accused of robbing a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier of a special key, possibly as part of a larger identify theft and fraud scheme, an official said Tuesday.

The incident happened about 12:19 p.m. Aug. 6 at 3550 South U.S. 1 in Fort Pierce, which is the address of Manatee Mobile Home & RV Park.

U.S. Postal Inspector Ivan Ramirez said a man brandished a gun, and the person robbed was a uniformed U.S. Postal Service worker in a U.S. Postal Service marked vehicle.

“There's no mistaking who you're actually robbing,” Ramirez said.

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Ramirez said the accused robber made off with a key that accessed a panel box, or central area of mail boxes for an apartment complex or similar facility.

“The reason for them wanting these keys is these are the folks that are basically just proliferating identity theft,” Ramirez said.

He said the individuals steal a person’s identity from places such as a medical provider, school or online.

“They will redirect or apply for benefits or credit ... and have that mail shipped or mailed to, sent to, these addresses where now they have a key,” Ramirez said. “What they're after is a key for them to be able to expand their network of identity theft fraud schemes.”

He said in such groups, a number of people tend to be involved.

“Someone steals identities, someone gets online, someone applies, someone commits the act of robbery,” Ramirez said. “They're not a one-man band, or a one-lady band.”

According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the accused robber is described as a Black male, about 5 feet 8 inches and of skinny build. He is about 150 pounds, and his hair was in small dreadlocks and/or braids. He wore a white T-shirt partially covering his face, T-shirt and dark pants. He fled and may have entered a small red vehicle.

Ramirez said officials suspect crimes like this are not a “smash and grab”-type burglary or a crime of opportunity.

“These we believe are a little more rehearsed or methodical, they know exactly who these folks are,” Ramirez said.

He said the keys are “highly controlled items” that belong to the U.S. Postal Service. They are removed from a vault and signed out each morning, and locked in the vault every evening at the end of a shift.

He said the reported victim in the case is a federal employee performing their duties. Those responsible could face federal fines and federal charges.

“If they're willing to do that to a federal employee that is protected and backed by U.S. Codes, then who's to say that these folks are not brazen enough to do it anyone else?” Ramirez said.

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According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, letter carriers also were robbed July 13 at 410 N. 40th St. in Fort Pierce and May 26 at 2476 Atlantis Drive in Fort Pierce, records show.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering up to a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or person(s) responsible.

Those with information in the most recent case are asked to call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455, say “Law Enforcement,” and reference case number 3788888.

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com

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