Thieves ransack mailboxes in Studio City apartment complex after robbing USPS carrier of master key

Leo Stallworth Image
Friday, July 14, 2023
Thieves rob USPS carrier's master key in NoHo, steal from mailboxes
A group of thieves robbed a mail carrier at gunpoint and used a stolen master key to ransack mailboxes inside an apartment complex in the San Fernando Valley.

STUDIO CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Three suspects are sought by law enforcement after a mail carrier was held up at gunpoint in North Hollywood during a robbery.

The suspects apparently took off with the Postal Service worker's master key and were later seen on surveillance video using the key to enter a Studio City apartment building and steal from mailboxes.

The robbery of the mail carrier happened Tuesday around 10:20 a.m. near 5522 Vineland Ave., according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Images released showed a suspect dressed in all black pointing a gun at the mail carrier.

"We take all mail theft matters seriously and are actively investigating this case," USPS said in a statement. "As this is an ongoing investigation we cannot provide further details."

Footage of the theft at the Studio City apartment complex showed two suspects rummaging through mailboxes before leaving with a bag of stolen mail. That theft happened Wednesday afternoon, according to a timestamp on the video.

Authorities say one suspect was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black jeans and dark sneakers. He is described as 5'11" to 6'2" tall, with a slim build and between 25-35 years old.

The second suspect wore a white face mask, gray hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans and white sneakers. No description was available of the third suspect, but investigators say they drove a black BMW during the initial robbery.

A $50,000 reward is being offered by USPS for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.