A St. Paul resident, Rubin David Adams, has admitted guilt in two armed robberies targeting U.S. Postal Service employees. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Court documents detail the incidents occurring on November 18 and 19 of last year. On the first day, Adams aided an accomplice in Edina who threatened a letter carrier with a handgun and demanded a "mailbox key." When the victim could not provide it, they surrendered two sets of USPS vehicle keys instead. The next day, Adams personally confronted another postal worker in Brooklyn Center, pointing a gun at their head to steal two mailbox keys.
Mailbox keys are highly sought after by criminals for mail theft involving cash, checks, and other financial instruments. These keys are owned by USPS and unauthorized possession constitutes a federal offense.
Adams entered his guilty plea to two counts of armed robbery of a mail carrier in front of Judge Eric C. Tostrud at the U.S. District Court. His sentencing will be scheduled later.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, FBI, Hennepin County Violent Offenders Task Force, as well as police departments from Edina, Brooklyn Center, St. Louis Park, and Minnesota Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Polachek is handling the prosecution.