![]() ![]() Mail theft and violent crimes are a nationwide occurrence and Central Texas is not immune.” ‘It’s identity theft’ “In an increasingly challenging environment, the USPS and the USPIS are highly focused on protecting postal employees and property and ensuring the secure delivery of the nation’s mail and packages. “Every postal employee deserves to work in safety and to be free from targeting by criminals seeking to access the public’s mail,” said Torres. Gene, who did not want to give his last name, stands next to the cluster mailboxes in his neighborhood after picking up his mail. Investigators will continue to collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement and “conduct targeted surge operations focusing on those high postal crime areas,” the USPS said. Since May, the USPIS made 109 arrests for robberies and more than 530 arrests for mail theft, officials said. In response, in October the USPS announced it replaced more than 6,500 arrow locks in unnamed “select cities” and said it will install the rest in the “coming months.” The USPS said it also installed 10,000 “high-security” blue collection boxes nationwide. ![]() The September OIG report criticized a lack of “deployment timelines with actionable milestones to fully implement planned initiatives to address mail theft” and “lacks accountability for their arrow keys.” In May, the postal service announced a plan to replace 49,000 “antiquated” arrow locks with new electronic ones. Last year, 412 letter carriers were robbed on the job nationwide with 305 incidents reported in the first half of this year, according to a Office of Inspector General Report. (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) Mail theft by the numbers Postal Inspectors work tireless with our law enforcement partners, including the Austin Police Department, and used every investigative tool at our disposal to identify and arrest the individuals responsible for these criminal acts.”īlack fingerprint dust is still visible next to an arrow key lock in southwest Austin. “When a robbery does occur, it receives the highest level of response and attention. “Protecting USPS employees is part of the core mission of the USPIS,” Torres said. ![]() Postal Inspector as part of the criminal complaint into the mail-theft ring. In the last five years, the number of USPS employees “assaulted and murdered” to steal arrow keys “has increased dramatically,” according to an affidavit from a U.S. In that case, the letter carrier said two men demanded he “give up the key.” This growing nationwide fraud often involves selling stolen checks to criminal organizations around the country on apps like Telegram and CashApp, depositing them into bank accounts opened with stolen identities, according to court records. At the time, a $150,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest. Investigators found more than a dozen weapons - including 11 semi-automatic rifles - stolen personal and business checks, and an arrow key linked to the robbery of a letter carrier in Leander this month, according to federal court records obtained by KXAN. Last week, the USPIS busted a mail-theft ring in Austin. “However, at this time, no additional information related to this investigation is available for public release due to its ongoing status.” “Postal inspectors are currently investigating this case and will work closely with our local law enforcement partners and combine our resources to better investigate these crimes,” Torres said. Postal Inspection Service - the federal law enforcement arm of the USPS - said it is “aware of reports of mail theft” in this neighborhood. “We’ve asked what’s their plan to rectify this,” he said. He said he tried asking what the USPS is doing to stop this from happening but didn’t an answer. Gene suspects his mail was also stolen and said he is “very” concerned by the recent thefts. It just goes on and on,” said Gene, who also asked us not to use his last name. “Members of our community have had mail stolen, packages stolen, important legal documents, personal information, passports. (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) Papers to passports stolen A US Postal Inspection Service warning sticker next to an arrow key lock.
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