LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A $150,000 reward is being offered for information about armed robberies of three U.S. Postal carriers in Louisville.
The postal workers were targeted in a series of armed robberies Monday afternoon, all occurring within about 40 minutes at different locations across the city.
Investigators called the incidents a coordinated effort.
The robberies happened between 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Hartlage Court, Crittenden Drive, and Cypress Street, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. No postal workers were injured in the incidents.
Demetrius Barlow, who lives near one of the targeted locations, said he was shocked by the news.
"Super quiet neighborhood. I've been here almost two years, and the loudest noise I hear are squirrels and birds," Barlow said. "I don't know... it's a terrible thing. It's a little scary."
Authorities said surveillance footage from at least one of the robberies has been recovered, and one suspect has been arrested. Details about the arrest were not immediately available.
The Postal Inspection Service released a flyer offering a $150,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the other suspects.
The reward poster describes the suspects as "three Black males wearing black clothing and were seen driving a white Audi sedan with a stolen Kentucky license plate."
Frank Albergo, president of the Postal Police Officers Association, said postal workers face increasing threats while on the job.
"Back in the day when I was a letter carrier, I had to worry about dogs. Nowadays, letter carriers have to worry about guns and bullets," Albergo said.
He added that criminals often target the Postal Service for items like paper checks, credit cards, and cash. Albergo attributed the rise in attacks to a reduction in Postal Police patrols, which he said were scaled back in 2020, leaving carriers more vulnerable.
"For years, we were out in the streets protecting letter carriers, preventing mail theft," he said. "Criminals exploit easy targets, and that's the Postal Service."
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service emphasized its commitment to employee safety in a statement.
"The safety of our fellow postal employees and the security of the mailstream are our top priorities," the agency said.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.
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