Two recent arrests underscore an ongoing problem of organized mail theft operations on Chicago’s North Side, with authorities charging a repeat offender in one case and federal agents announcing the arrest of a second suspect tied to an unrelated string of postal thefts.
In the first case, convicted felon Patrick Allen, 42, is accused of stealing mail from a residential building in the 6100 block of North Northwest Highway on May 13.
Chicago police set up surveillance of Allen’s residence last weekend as part of the investigation, according to a CPD report. Officers spotted Allen in the area and attempted to take him into custody, but they said he tried to escape by riding away on a bicycle. He allegedly abandoned the bike, ran on foot, and was ultimately arrested in front of a nearby firehouse.
Police said a search following the arrest uncovered a U.S. Postal Service master key, commonly referred to as an arrow key, in Allen’s pants pocket. Officers also allegedly recovered 35 pieces of mail stolen from a building in the 2600 block of West Belmont Avenue from Allen’s backpack, along with 14 live rounds of ammunition in two different calibers…