![]() ![]() "No one wants to step forward because they know they have a serious problem and they don’t want to admit it," said Spinello. Guy Spinello, then the North Central Director of Associated Locksmiths of America, showed us then how easy postal keys are to make or copy. NBC 5 Investigates first exposed thieves using stolen US master postal keys prior to COVID-19 back in February 2020. Man dies after driving vehicle into Little Calumet River, police say Massari is in custody and due back in August on a burglary charge. Chicago police reports indicate that Massari was in possession of two master postal keys, seven other sets of mail keys and a bunch of mail with social security, credit and debit cards. ![]() Barker said many of the burglary teams are co-ed with the women referred to as joggers because they pose as runners during the day but are actually casing apartment buildings for packages and mail to steal at night.Īliyah Massari was pulled over by Chicago police in February 2020 in the West Loop for a routine traffic stop. The alert described the offenders as two men and two women working as a team. Recently, Chicago Police issued community alerts after several high-rise buildings in Ravenswood, Lincoln Park, Uptown and Lincoln Square were hit by mail and package thieves. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here. They use a pry tool or facsimile key that allows them to get into these places and use the same key to get into everyone's mailboxes so they're not going to homes but they're going to condo and apartment buildings because there's a large bank of mailboxes for them to utilize and take everything."įeeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Baker said, "What they are doing is simple. Nearing retirement after 30 years of service, Sgt. "We find out about it when somebody has been notified that they were a victim of a credit card fraud or the bank has alerted them that they are missing money." Most of the time, the victim is unaware that anything has even happened," said Sgt. The 19th District covers Lincoln Square, Uptown, Sheridan Park, North Center, Ravenswood, Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Boystown, Roscoe Village, Southport Corridor, Sheffield & DePaul and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. Patrick Barker said the 19th police district has received calls about stolen mail almost every day. They are thieves using real and counterfeit keys to steal mail and people’s identities.įor the last year and a half, Chicago Police Sgt. postal keys, but they are not postal carriers. All rights reserved.Through rain, sleet or snow, especially in the dead of night, they carry what appear to be U.S. If you believe your mail was stolen, report it immediately by submitting an online complaint at or calling 87.Ĭopyright 2023 KOLO. If you see a mail thief at work, call police immediately, then report it to Postal Inspectors at 87 (say “Theft”). By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted neighbors, you can watch each other’s mailboxes and residences. Consider starting a neighborhood watch program.If you have concerns about security in your neighborhood, consider installing a lockable mailbox or obtaining PO Box service from your local Post Office.Ask your bank for “secure” checks that are more difficult to alter. ![]() Hand outgoing mail to your letter carrier, or mail it at the Post Office, an official blue USPS collection box on the street, or a secure receptacle at your place of business.If you change your address, immediately notify your Post Office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.If you don’t receive a check or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the issuing agency.You can sign up for email and text alerts at When expecting a package delivery, track the shipment at.Have your Post Office hold your mail while you’re away. Don’t leave your mail unattended for extended periods. Just as you wouldn’t leave the door to your home unlocked while you’re away, you shouldn’t let mail accumulate in your mailbox.If you won’t be home when the items are expected, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery, especially if you’re expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items.You can significantly reduce the chance of being victimized by simply removing your mail from your mailbox every day. Don’t let incoming or outgoing mail sit in your mailbox.USPS has said that they can’t do this job alone and have provided a list of ways people can protect their mail: Every time anyone in our whole area goes there they tell us it’s under inspection,” Walker says. We know they haven’t done anything yet, we have not been contacted by an inspector. “We just want the post office to do something. ![]()
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