Martinez Man Charged In Robbery Of Postal Worker, Mail Truck Theft

MARTINEZ, CA — A 35-year-old man has been charged in connection with the robbery of a U.S. Postal Service worker and theft of a USPS mail truck in February in Martinez, the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office said.

Joshua Scott Anderson was arraigned Wednesday on charges of second-degree robbery, carjacking, driving or taking a vehicle without consent and mail theft.

The robbery of the carrier’s postal vehicle key and theft of the USPS mail truck took place around 10:30 a.m. Feb. 2 at the Lotus Apartments in the 3900 block of Alhambra Avenue in Martinez.

According to reports, Anderson approached the carrier and used force to rob the Postal worker of their key and the mail truck — which contained letters and parcels. The stolen mail truck was recovered about 30 minutes later, but several trays of mail and parcels were missing.

Following an investigation, Anderson was arrested Feb. 22.

The case against him also lists an enhancement for prior convictions of vehicle theft, special allegations for committing a felony while on probation, and prior convictions of first-and second-degree burglary, vehicle theft, and identity theft, the DA's Office said.

Anderson remains in custody without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility.

In a statement Wednesday, San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge, Rafael Nunez said: "The Postal Inspection Service takes threats to our employees and the theft of mail very seriously, and we will vigorously pursue those who commit such crimes. Postal Inspectors worked closely with the District Attorney’s Office and our partners at the Martinez Police Department and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office on this case."

According to Nunez, incidents of mail theft and postal carriers being robbed — sometimes at gunpoint — have increased nationwide. The safety of USPS employees is paramount, and employees have received training on what to do if they are robbed. However, postal inspectors urge the public to report any suspicious activity involving mail trucks or postal carriers.