Police are searching for a man caught impersonating a U.S. Postal Service employee while accepting packages from a North Philadelphia apartment building.
According to police, the man shown in this Oct. 23 video is accused of stealing packages from residents of an apartment building on the 1400 block of North 15th Street. The man was dressed as a U.S. Postal Service employee as he stole the packages.
In the video above, the suspect is caught on camera inspecting an assortment of packages in the building, before opening one and checking his surroundings. The suspect then takes his backpack and leaves with at least two packages. According to the police, the man has committed thefts several times.
Police describe the suspect in the video as a man wearing a blue knit hat with a USPS patch, a blue hoodie with the USPS logo, blue pants and black sneakers.
Several Temple University students who live nearby said they are not surprised by the thefts. Tessa Zimmerman said she gave up after several packages went missing.
“I don’t order packages that often just because I know the risks of ordering packages anywhere in Philadelphia,” Zimmerman said.
Student Gabe Bernar said only one part of the story was surprising.
“It’s kind of surprising that it’s so easy to pretend you’re a postman,” says Bernar.
The Central Criminal Investigation Department is investigating the thefts. If you have any information about the crimes committed or the suspect, you are urged to call police at 215-686-3047/3048.
