Increased Risk Of Package Theft After Robbers Steal Postal Master Keys

EVANSTON, IL — Police said two mail carriers were robbed at gunpoint in Evanston within 24 hours this week.

The robbers made off with "arrow keys" — master keys that allow United States Postal Service workers to access mailboxes and common areas of apartment buildings and condominiums — in both cases, according to police.

In the first instance, police were told two masked men in their 30s robbed a mail carrier shortly after 4 p.m. Monday in the 1600 block of Monroe Street.

One of the attackers restrained the postal worker, while the other brandished a handgun and stole his keys before both ran away. The mail carrier escaped the encounter physically unharmed, police said.

In the second instance, a USPS mail carrier reported a gunman wearing a black shirt and light-colored pants robbed him shortly before noon Tuesday in the 2400 block of Nathaniel Avenue, about a mile northwest of the site of the first robbery.

After taking the postal carrier's keys, the robber punched him in the face, police said. He was later treated at a nearby hospital for minor injuries.

Police asked anyone with information about the robberies to call detectives at 847-866-5040.

To prevent package thefts, police recommended requesting signatures at delivery, using secured boxes or locations and working with building managers to increase security at common areas.

"With the holiday season approaching, the loss of these arrows keys will increase an already elevated risk of package thefts," police said in a statement.