USPIS Takes To Social Media To Help Find Postal Robbers
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Local letter carriers, beginning Wednesday, will deliver over 30,000 reward flyers for information on robbers to neighborhoods across Miami-Dade and Broward. But that's not all--officials have created a Facebook page to help circulate the information that will hopefully lead to an arrest.
Local, state and federal agencies have joined forces with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to combat what they say is a growing threat--the assault and robbery of postal carriers.
"Letter carriers are government representatives who perform an important public service. They should not report to work in fearing for their lives," Wifredo Ferrer, US Attorney said Wednesday during a press conference.
The USPIS is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any suspect, or suspects, responsible for the assault of Postal letter carriers and robbery of Postal property.
Wednesday afternoon, postal inspectors will distribute the reward flyers and hanging posters at three locations in Miami.
Letter carriers will also be handing out the flyers through Saturday May 30th.
In addition to the flyers being handed and mailed out, USPIS has set up a Facebook page with the flyers and information for easy access.
"Everyone in our community should be concerned because these robberies lead to identity theft and tax refund fraud," said Ronald Verrochio, Inspector in Charge USPIS.
According to officials there are 16 open robbery cases involving postal carriers since 2011.
Click here to WATCH CBS4 Marybel Rodriguez's report.
On the Facebook page, in addition to flyers, the USPIS has a list of robberies to which they are seeking more information:
• 10/14/11 1060 NE 146th St, N Miami 33166
• 11/17/11 190 W 12th St, Hialeah, FL 33012
• 02/21/12 15800 NW 2nd Ave, Miami , FL 33169
• 04/30/12 10123 Sunrise Lakes Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33345 flyer w/sketch
• 07/21/12 111 NW 76th St, Miami , FL 33138
• 11/20/12 6601 NE 1st Pl, Miami , FL 33138
• 12/26/12 14050 NE 6th Ave, N Miami , FL 33161
• 02/14/13 10945 SW 159th Terr, Miami , FL 33157
• 04/14/14 1761 NW 46th Ave, Lauderhill, FL 33313 flyer w/sketch
• 04/24/14 3455 SW 52nd Ave, Pembroke Park, FL 33023 flyer w/sketch
• 07/24/14 1015 NE 127th St, N Miami , FL 33161 flyer w/sketch
• 10/08/14 1650 NW 119th St, Miami, FL 33167
• 03/13/15 6301 N University Dr, Tamarac, FL 33321 flyer w/sketch
On December 6, 2010 postal carrier Bruce Parton was killed for the master keys as he delivered mail at the Monte Carlo apartment complex. Those who killed him were caught, but there are still more than a dozen robbers out there.
Officials are asking for your help not only finding the suspects, but also to help keep our letter carriers safe.
"We ask that if you see a letter carrier on your street, take a second to look around is there a car following the carrier? Is there somebody hanging out around the carrier's vehicle? Is someone hanging around the apartment mailboxes?" Ronald Verrochio USPIS
The USPIS hopes to reinforce that the robbery of a U.S. Post Office or postal employee is punishable by a prison term of up to 25 years. Also, theft and/or possession of a Postal key is a violation, punishable by a prison term of up to 10 years.
Anyone with information, which will be kept confidential, is asked to contact the U.S. Postal Service at 877-876-2455. Also, the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous and the public is advised not to take any action to apprehend the individuals.
For more information, click here to see USPIS Facebook page and follow the USPIS on Twitter @USPIS_MIA.
