MIAMI (WSVN) - U.S. Postal inspectors are on the scene where a letter carrier was robbed of her keys in Miami.
Letter carriers carry master keys to residential mail boxes in order to deliver mail. In the wrong hands, thieves can access the mail.
On Thursday afternoon, 7Skyforce hovered over the area of Southwest Second Street and South River Drive, where the carrier was robbed.
The mail carrier was said to have been robbed at gunpoint by two masked men while she was delivering mail.
“This was an armed robbery, very egregious crime against a federal employee,” said United States Postal Inspector Ivan Rameriz.
Investigators said the armed robbery took place around 4 p.m. They also said the two men took off with the master key.
“They demanded her key, she turned over her key and they fled eastbound,” said Ramirez.
Federal investigators and Miami Police swarmed the area and searched for surveillance video.
7News was told this is a federal crime and the investigation is being taken very seriously by authorities.
“The idea behind stealing the key is that they can come at a later date, possibly the very same panel box and steal the mail that’s in there,” said Rameriz. “Now what comes in the mail? Personal information, perhaps credit cards, maybe some benefits, government benefits– what have you. The Postal Service’s going to do its diligence and re-key these panels as soon as possible.”
The mail carrier was shaken up but did not suffer any physical injuries.
Authorities told 7News the men will face serious charges when caught.
“These are federal crimes. Make no mistake, these folks will be facing federal crime, federal statues, federal penalties,” said Ramirez.
USPS is offering a $20,000 reward for information on the two masked men. Call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 if you saw anything.
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