OPD News
Public Safety Advisory: Uptick in Postal Truck Robberies
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) continues to see an uptick in robberies of mail carriers throughout the city of Oakland. The most recent incident occurred on December 22, 2022, in the 3500 block of Wilson Avenue shortly after 2:00 PM.
In several cases, individuals exit their vehicles, approach a postal employee, point a firearm at the victim then demand the postal key. There have been instances where some of the individuals also grab mail from the postal truck before fleeing the scene.
OPD and the Postal Inspectors are actively investigating the robberies. OPD made an arrest in one of the cases.
If you are a victim or have information regarding any of these incidents, please call 510-238-3326.
We are issuing this safety advisory to inform you of this alarming trend.
REDUCE YOUR RISK:
- Promptly pick up your mail after delivery, especially if you are receiving a check or merchandise.
- Get a locking mailbox.
- Request your income tax return be electronically sent to your bank account.
- Hand outgoing mail to the carrier or take your mail to a postal box or Post Office.
- Inquire about overdue mail.
- Alert the Post Office if you are going out of town. The U.S. Postal Service can hold your mail at no charge if you’ll be traveling.
- If you do not receive your shipment on time, check with the company of origin and confirm the delivery.
- Report all suspected mail theft to your local police and Postal Inspector.
- Call the OPD non-emergency number, (510)777-3333, to report suspicious persons.
OPD’s COMMITMENT:
OPD Commanders have begun deploying additional officers to areas of the city that have experienced an increase in these crimes.
Working together, we can reduce violence in Oakland.