Recent Arrests Highlight Ongoing Issue of Organized Mail Theft in Chicago’s North Side
Two recent arrests have shed light on the persistent problem of organized mail theft operations in Chicago’s North Side. Authorities have charged a repeat offender in one case and federal agents have announced the arrest of a second suspect linked to a separate string of postal thefts.
In the first case, Patrick Allen, a 42-year-old convicted felon, stands accused of stealing mail from a residential building in the 6100 block of North Northwest Highway on May 13.
Chicago police conducted surveillance on Allen’s residence last weekend as part of the investigation. Officers spotted Allen in the area and attempted to apprehend him. However, Allen tried to flee by riding away on a bicycle. He abandoned the bike, ran on foot, and was eventually arrested in front of a nearby firehouse.
During a search following the arrest, officers discovered a U.S. Postal Service master key, commonly known as an arrow key, in Allen’s pants pocket. Additionally, 35 pieces of mail stolen from a building in the 2600 block of West Belmont Avenue were found in Allen’s backpack, along with 14 live rounds of ammunition in two different calibers.
Arrow keys are used by mail carriers to access secure mailboxes and building mail rooms. They have become a prime target for organized mail theft and identity theft rings, allowing them to quickly enter multiple residential buildings and steal large volumes of mail. This stolen information can be used for fraudulent activities, account takeovers, and identity theft. Due to their value on the criminal market, some individuals have resorted to robbing mail carriers at gunpoint to obtain these keys.
Records show that Allen has a criminal history related to mail theft and burglary offenses. In 2021, he received a 7-year prison sentence for theft and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. A prior case in February 2016 involved five counts of burglary linked to stolen mail and bicycles, resulting in a guilty plea and a 7-year sentence.
In a separate development, federal authorities announced the arrest of Veronica Cavallari, a 29-year-old woman, following a joint investigation into mail thefts and other crimes on the North Side.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service identified Cavallari as a suspect in multiple burglaries, mail thefts, armed robberies, and vehicle thefts in the North Side and northern Cook County. She faces felony charges for being a felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, and criminal damage to government property. Misdemeanor charges include leaving the scene of an accident, criminal trespass to a vehicle, possession of unauthorized title or registration, and driving with an expired license. Additional charges for burglary and automobile theft are pending.
These recent arrests highlight the ongoing challenge of organized mail theft in Chicago’s North Side. The authorities continue to combat these criminal operations to protect residents and prevent further incidents of mail theft and related crimes.
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