CHICAGO — A 24-year-old man has been charged with robbing a U.S. Postal Service worker at gunpoint, authorities announced. David Atwater allegedly threatened the postal worker as she completed her rounds on October 4 in the 11500 block of South May.
“This is a robbery, don’t move,” Atwater reportedly said as he entered the postal truck. “Where’s the phones at? You move, I shoot.”
Although prosecutors said Atwater did not visibly brandish a weapon, he implied he was armed by keeping his hand in his pocket and pointing to a bulge. He allegedly took three sealed packages before fleeing the scene on a scooter.
Identified by the Victim
The postal worker, familiar with Atwater from previous encounters on her delivery route, identified him to police and later confirmed his identity in a photo lineup, prosecutors said.
The robbery was reportedly committed shortly after Atwater had completed parole for a felony gun conviction, according to court records. Judge Susana Ortiz, citing his criminal history and the nature of the alleged offense, ordered him detained without bail pending trial.
Prior Convictions
Court documents reveal Atwater had previously received probation for a gun-related charge, underscoring concerns about recidivism in the case.
Impact on Postal Workers
Incidents like these highlight the dangers faced by postal workers, who are increasingly targeted for packages containing electronics and other high-value items. Federal authorities have emphasized that crimes against mail carriers are taken seriously and often result in severe penalties.
Atwater is expected to face trial in the coming months. Meanwhile, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service continues its investigation into the incident.
