Postal Worker Shot At After Startling Would-Be Burglars
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A postal worker was shot at on the job after startling would-be burglars at a Kendall home.
It all began around 11 a.m. when the mailman was on his route.
"He delivered mail to this residence where he heard the alarm go off but didn't really think much of it. Sometimes these things happen," said U.S. Postal Inspector Ivan Rodriguez.
While driving away, investigators said he saw a couple of hooded men jump over a fence and into a car and take off. Coincidentally, they were all going the same way. That's when he suddenly became the target of fleeing crooks.
"At that moment when realized what he also witnessed, the passenger extended half of his body outside the vehicle, turned around and took a shot at him," said Rodriguez.
Fortunately, that letter carrier was not hit. Police believe the crooks thought he may have been going after them.
"This was coincidentally that fact that he happened to be right behind him, so they're thinking they got spooked, we're being followed," said Rodriguez.
People who live nearby are stunned since this is a quiet area near SW 88th Street and the Shula Expressway.
"It's very unnerving because nothing like this happens in this neighborhood…but it's happening, everywhere so there's not much you can do," said resident Rick Mollicone.
Another mailman agreed with residents.
"It's a beautiful neighborhood. We do our job every day and we expect, we don't know what to expect sometimes. We try to do 100% every day," said the letter carrier who identified himself as Juan.
The postal service said the mailman has been on the job more than a dozen years and has never experienced anything like this.
"He's fine, the carrier, obviously a bit shaken up, as anybody would be, but he's fine. He was able to cooperate with investigators and provide the information," said Rodriguez.
As for a description, investigators don't have a lot to go on - just two men in hoodies getting into a dark SUV with some damage in the front bumper.
Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers (305) 471-TIPS. In this case, aside from a Crime Stoppers reward, there is a $20,000 reward offered from the U.S. Postal Service.
