Two postal workers in Evanston were robbed at gunpoint this week of the “arrow keys” that give them access to locked condo and apartment lobbies prompting police to issue an alert advising residents to take precautions to prevent being victims of package thefts.
“Arrow keys” allow postal carriers access to secured common areas of condo and apartment buildings, Evanston police said in a Tuesday release. They said that with the holiday season approaching, the loss of these arrows keys will “increase an already elevated risk of package thefts.”
On Sept. 26, at approximately 4:05 p.m., Evanston police responded to the 1600 block of Monroe Street for a call of a robbery, where a United States Postal Service Carrier, told them he had just been robbed by two men, the release said. The carrier told officers he was approached by two masked offenders and that one of the men “physically controlled” him while the second man displayed a handgun and removed the carrier’s “arrow keys.” The men then fled on foot.
The postal carrier was uninjured during he incident.
There are no suspects in custody but suspects were described as two men in their 30s.
Another “arrow key” theft took place around 11:55 a.m. the following day. Evanston police responded to the 2400 block of Nathaniel Avenue where another postal carrier told them he was robbed by a single offender who displayed a handgun, then took the carriers “arrow keys,” and struck the victim in the face with his fist. The offender then fled east bound on foot, said police.
They said that offender was described as a male wearing a black shirt and light colored pants.
The postal carrier was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
Police on Tuesday said that because the “arrow keys” will open locked condo and apartment building lobby doors, residents should be vigilant, and that they can help prevent package thefts by “tracking” their packages and using delivery alerts.
Authorities also said that with the holiday season approaching, and with it a sharp rise in package deliveries, residents should not leave delivered mail and packages unattended and that specific instructions for delivery — such as a specific location or requiring signatures — should be considered. Deliveries can also be sent to a secured postal box, UPS, or FedEx store for extra security.
Evanston police are continuing the investigations into the two armed robberies, and there are not any additional updates, the Tuesday release said.
Anyone with information on the investigations should contact the Evanston Police Detective Bureau at 847-866-5040 or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) and then start their message with EPDTIP.
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Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.