Mail carrier robbed of postal keys in Palo Alto

PALO ALTO — A mail carrier was robbed of his postal keys Thursday in Palo Alto, according to authorities.

The robbery happened just before noon in the parking lot of the Southwood Apartments at 2850 Middlefield Road, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release.

The victim, a man in his 60s, had been delivering mail in the area when two men approached him and demanded his postal keys, according to authorities. He surrendered the keys but refused an additional order to hand over his wallet and cell phone.

A fistfight ensued, with the robbers ultimately knocking the mail carrier to the ground.

The victim described the suspects as Latino, in their 20s and about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with average builds. They were both wearing black hooded sweatshirts with the hood up.

The men left the scene in an older model Nissan Altima with paint that looked old.

The victim suffered minor injuries to his face, rib cage and knee. He declined medical attention at the scene.

Detectives are investigating whether the same men robbed another mail carrier in December. That case remains unsolved.

The most recent robbery comes less than a week after a 19-year-old Sacramento man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of robbing two mail carriers in Belmont and Palo Alto. Postal keys were also taken by force in each of the May 11 incidents.

Anyone with information related to the cases can contact the police department at 650-329-2413; those wishing to remain anonymous can call or text 650-383-8984 or email paloalto@tipnow.org.