Investigators search for man accused of robbing a Tulsa postal worker

TULSA, Okla. — Investigators with the U.S. Postal Service are searching for a thief after a postal worker was robbed.

Investigators said a slender man wearing a hoodie attacked the postal worker and stole to keys to various commercial mail boxes.

They also said this is the first time this sort of robbery has happened in Tulsa.

“This is the first incident we’ve had here, first time any of us have heard of it, but I don’t think it’s new talking to the postal inspector. My guys have learned that there’s a history of this, I believe it’s taken place in Houston, Texas area in the past,” said TPD Robbery Lieutenant Justin Ritter.

“We believe the keys likely open up commercial style mail boxes and I’m sure the person that acquires the keys in the end, in my opinion, probably accesses the mailboxes and then you’re looking at obviously being taken, checks could be taken,” he continued.

The robbery near the intersection of E. Virgin and E. Elgin on Jun. 6.

Neighbors told FOX23 that the suspect hid in a driveway of a house before walking up the road and pulling a gun on the postal worker.

And those neighbors are shocked that it’s happened.

“Ah man, when I first heard it, I was like wow that’s crazy, what they rob a mail man for? I mean they had to know he had something or something. Like they had to be watching.”

Police said the suspect could be trying to make money by selling the keys.

“Individuals steal these specific keys and then they will get on the Internet, or an app, and sell them. They’re supposed to be worth a pretty decent amount of money,” said Ritter.

Officers don’t want to panic people and they’ve said that they’ve had no reported cases of mailboxes being opened.

“I have no specific information that mailboxes in Tulsa are being opened, but I mean common sense, it’s a key it’s from a post office employee, that’s probably the route they’re going after they sell it or whatever. Somebody in the end is probably going to attempt to access a mailbox.”

Ritter said if it takes place it could be a problem.

The man they are searching for is considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information about the suspect, call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455. Select the “law enforcement” option and use reference number 3745758.

There is a reward of up to $50,000 available.

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