Thieves targeting mail carriers in Manhattan

Monday, March 26, 2018
UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Instead of thieves fishing letters out of mailboxes, they are going right to the source - targeting mail carriers in Manhattan.

"Some of them, the come in, and before you blink an eye, they dip someplace else, and you miss them," says USPS worker Monique McCall.
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The bandits have hit at least 19 times since the summer - are lightning fast, and sometimes operate in teams.

One thief that was caught on camera on E. 36th Street was even wearing a fake uniform when he struck on March 15th. Police say the suspects are all after the same thing - carrier's carts filled with mail.

Back in January, McCall's colleague was bamboozled on E 16th Street.

"He just told me to be careful, because they did steal his cart. While I'm doing my deliveries, I watch my whole area - I don't allow people to stay and hang around my truck, there's no need for you to be around my truck. 'I have nothing here for you, so remove yourself' is what I say," added McCall.
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The Postal Service tells Eyewitness News that it is extremely confident it will find the suspects. In one case on E. 78th Street, a witness said he noticed the regular postman was not pushing his cart. He thought it was a joke, but by the time he realized it wasn't, the suspects had run off and possibly made off with a lot of money.



"This is ridiculous, because people's checks are being stolen. Businesses - their checks are being stolen, and we are supposed to be a secure business," says McCall.

At some buildings carts aren't allowed in the lobby, so workers have to leave them outside.

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