Thief steals mail from truck in front of postal worker in West Loop: officials

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A suspect stole mail from a USPS truck in front of a postal worker in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood on Monday afternoon, officials said.

The mail carrier, a 57-year-old woman, told ABC7 camera that a person jumped in to the back of her truck, grabbed paper mail and ran away.

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Chicago police said happened on South Aberdeen and West Madison just before 3:30 p.m.

She said the thief was not armed and didn't physically harm her. The suspect just grabbed the mail and fled, police said, eastbound on Madison Street.

Police and a postal inspector were seen speaking with the mail carrier, who did not want to speak with ABC7 on-camera.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service Spokesperson Spencer Block issued a statement, saying, "As there is an ongoing investigation into this matter, I cannot provide specifics at this time, other than to confirm a mail theft incident, not a robbery, took place in the vicinity of Madison and Aberdeen earlier today."

The mail carrier believes the suspect might have been after paper checks.

Area Three detectives are investigating.

Authorities did not immediately provide further information.

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