Teens Rob Postal Carrier, Shoot At Inspectors In Southland: Officials

HARVEY, IL — Two teens face charges after one robbed a postal carrier at gunpoint and the other fired shots at inspectors last week in the south suburbs, according to authorities.

Ahmel Holmes, 18, of Kankakee, is charged with armed robbery of a postal carrier, and Jesus Santillan, 19, of Harvey, is charged with using a deadly weapon to assault inspectors and impede performance of their official duties, authorities said.

A postal carrier was delivering mail Wednesday morning on East 158th Street near Union Avenue when Holmes approached her with a gun equipped with a drum magazine, demanded her belongings, obtained access to her postal vehicle, and stole a tub of mail, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Shortly after the robbery, two postal inspectors were canvassing the area when they saw three people near an alley, authorities said. They approached the trio and one of the three, Santillan, shot at the inspectors, according to the department. The inspectors were not hurt and did not return fire but chased Santillan into a nearby home and arrested him, authorities said.

They also found Holmes in the residence and took him into custody, according to the department.

A detention hearing for Holmes was set for Tuesday, authorities said, adding Santillan waived his right to a detention hearing and was ordered to be held in federal custody. If convicted, Holmes could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison and Santillan could be sentenced to up to 20 years, according to the department.