Federal investigators are asking the public for assistance in finding a suspect involved in a postal carrier assault in Stockton, California.
The incident was captured on surveillance camera, and the suspect robbed the postal worker while she was on her mail route. The footage shows the postal carrier walking up a driveway when a white car pulls up, and a man wearing a mask jumps out and runs up behind her. Just out of frame, the carrier lets out a scream.
The surveillance video shows the suspect going after the carrier's master key attached to her belt, but she manages to detach it and free herself. The suspect takes off in a getaway car, and the postal worker is left shaken but unharmed. Nenita Palomares, who lives at the home where the assault took place, was shocked by the incident and grateful that the carrier wasn't hurt. Her surveillance camera caught the entire event, and neighbors who know the postal worker said she is taking time off to recover.
According to federal inspectors, this attack is part of a recent spike in mail carrier assaults reported across Northern California. The inspectors believe that an identity theft ring is behind the attacks and are vowing to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to identify, find, and arrest anyone involved in these crimes. The United States Postal Service is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Investigators are hopeful that the surveillance footage of the suspect will lead them to their home address. The public is urged to come forward with any information they may have that could help identify the suspect or the identity theft ring responsible for the recent string of mail carrier assaults.
