Nearly Six Years Later: Postal Worker Robbed in Logan Square
After almost six years, justice has been served for a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier who was robbed while on duty in Logan Square. Donte Hughes, 34, has been sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings after pleading guilty to the crime, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
On March 31, 2020, a new postal employee was walking her route in the 1900 block of North Albany Avenue when Hughes and another man approached her from behind. The incident quickly turned terrifying as Hughes’ accomplice restrained her while Hughes reached into her pocket, demanding the keys to her work vehicle and the postal service master key.
The master key, also known as an “arrow key,” is a crucial tool for postal workers to access various mailboxes and entryways throughout the city. The victim, still familiarizing herself with the route, complied and handed over the keys before the two men fled the scene. Surveillance footage captured the robbers fleeing the area, but they left behind incriminating evidence.
A sweatshirt, a knit cap, and face masks were discovered about a third of a mile from the robbery site, with lab results confirming Hughes’ DNA on the masks. When confronted by law enforcement, Hughes admitted to the crime, revealing that he and an individual known as “Nuk” were responsible for the robbery, with Hughes specifically taking the arrow key.
Remarkably, Hughes evaded arrest until 2024, all while being on probation for a prior gun-related offense. The resolution of this case highlights the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in bringing perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety of postal workers.
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