Investigators hope for community help while chasing several leads in robbery of USPS carrier

Federal investigators tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEW they now have several leads in identifying the suspects involved in the armed robbery of a mail carrier in north Minneapolis.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of U.S. Postal Service, is putting up a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.

The incident happened around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday in the 3000 block of North Fourth Street.

Investigators said the letter carrier was delivering mail to a business when two suspects jumped out of a car with guns drawn, demanding items.

"In 18 years, I’ve never seen this occurrence here in Minnesota," U.S. Postal Inspector Rachel Williams said.

Williams said the entire incident happened in about 90 seconds.

"At this time, we’re still trying to account for what was removed from the vehicle. That’s an ongoing investigation," Williams said.

She said people will be notified if any mail was taken.

Investigators released surveillance images of the suspects and their vehicle Wednesday, hoping for help from the public in tracking them down.

The three suspects captured on camera are believed to be between the ages of 16 and 21.

Williams said this is a federal crime since a federal employee was targeted.

"Horrendous and callous and, quite frankly, unspeakable that you are going to rob a citizen on the street who is out performing his daily job duties that is a benefit to the general public as a whole," Williams said.

She said the massive reward is an effort to hold dangerous criminals accountable and ensure the safety of other mail carriers.

"It’s important to our agency and to the Postal Service that they know we want to protect them," Williams said.

She said the mail carrier was shaken up by the crime but not hurt.

People who live nearby told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they are disturbed by the brazen act of violence.

"Very bold someone would do that and to a mail carrier. They’re a public servant," said Kelly Vetter, a Minneapolis resident. "I feel like people need to have repercussions for making choices like that."

Investigators said they have recovered the suspect vehicle and are forensically processing it.

While they do have several leads on the suspect, they hope the community can help them connect the dots.

"It may be small and insignificant piece of information to them, but it may be a piece of the puzzle for us," Williams said. "If you have valid, viable leads and it leads to the arrest and conviction of an individual, we will pay the money."

If you have any information about this incident or the people involved, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 (say "Law Enforcement") and reference case number 3421717. All information shared will be kept confidential.