QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — Disturbing new video shows the moments a USPS mail carrier was attacked in Queens.
It’s one of two recent incidents police are investigating where letter carriers had their keys stolen.
More Local News Exclusively obtained by PIX11 News, the video shows the moments a USPS mail carrier is confronted and beaten by thieves.
“They cornered him and asked him for the master key, and he refused so they beat the living daylights out of him.”
The incident happened in an apartment building near Yellowstone Blvd and 64th Road on the morning of August 21.
A man who works at the building who didn’t want to be identified told us the two robbers followed the 48-year-old mail carrier into the building and told him they had a gun before they robbed him.
“The mailman rolled in and parked over here and a BMW was following him.”
Police say the men ran off in a black sedan with the Postal Service truck and keys.
The victim was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
The next day- a similar incident in Fresh Meadows near 166 Street and 76 Road. Around 1 p.m., two men robbed a 51-year-old mail carrier of his keys. They told the victim they had a gun before taking off in a red sedan.
Neighbor David Lin said, “I call it both scary and shocking. That’s just scary for us overall cause it’s really quiet out here.”
Rego Park residents express frustration over mail theft Police say the same suspects are responsible for the two incidents and they’re asking anyone who knows anything to call crime stoppers.
In response to the incidents, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement leg of USPS, pointed us to “ Project Safe Delivery ,” an initiative that aims to combat mail theft and violent crimes.
It says between May 2023 and June 2024, there have been 1,700 arrests for postal robberies and mail theft across the country.
Meantime, a recent report found mail theft is rampant in Queens and issued several recommendations for USPS to deal with the problem.
Congresswoman Grace Meng says progress is taking place but more needs to be done.
“letter carriers provide such an important service to our community and attacks on them must be stopped.”
Meng is currently cosponsoring a bill that would increase prosecutions and penalties for those who commit crimes against letter carriers. It is currently in committee.
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