Mail carriers robbed in Palm Desert and Cathedral City, investigations ongoing

THOUSAND PALMS, California (KESQ) Authorities are investigating two separate armed robberies involving U.S. Postal Service mail carriers in Cathedral City and Palm Desert over the past several days.

The first incident occurred Saturday in Cathedral City. Officers with the Cathedral City Police Department responded to a report of a robbery involving a mail carrier who was approached by a man while delivering mail in his postal truck. The suspect brandished what appeared to be the pistol grip of a handgun and demanded the keys to the vehicle. The victim removed the keys from the ignition and handed them over before the suspect fled in a black Genesis SUV, police said.

Officers canvassed the area for surveillance footage and spoke with nearby residents as part of the ongoing investigation.

The second robbery took place Monday at about 10:45 a.m. near Storke Drive and Bertain Drive in Palm Desert. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, a mail carrier reported being held at gunpoint by two Hispanic males while outside his work vehicle. The suspects stole some of his belongings before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. The victim was not injured.

Both incidents remain under investigation.

At this time it's not clear if the robberies in Cathedral City and Palm Desert are connected.

Anyone with information is urged to contact local law enforcement.

News Channel 3 has reached out to the U.S. Postal Inspection Services about the robberies, but has not received any details.