Mailbox Thieves Interrupted, Drive Off In Stolen Jeep

PALOS PARK, IL — Palos Park police officers called off a chase of a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee where three people inside were earlier spotted trying to pry open USPS mailboxes early Monday morning.

Just after 1 a.m., an officer on patrol near the Palos Park post office at 121st Street and 80th Avenue interrupted two suspects as they were trying to pry open several drop boxes on the north side of the building. Both had on ski masks and appeared to be smaller males, possibly teens.

As the officer approached them, the two scurried to a waiting 2017 Grand Jeep Cherokee, where a driver was waiting. Palos Park police chased the vehicle but called it off after assessing the risks.
Chief Joe Miller, of the Palos Park Police Department, said the Jeep was driving erratically in the oncoming lane of traffic and posing a danger.

“We’re talking about a property crime and a stolen vehicle,” Miller said. “Immediate apprehension was not necessary.”

The vehicle was reported stolen early last month in Villa Park. Through surveillance cameras and license plate readers, Illinois State Police believe the jeep jumped on the Bishop Ford Expressway and exited on Sibley Boulevard in Dolton.

Similar mailbox thefts have been reported at other post offices in the area. Thieves are washing checks and then entering new amounts payable to themselves and cashing them. Miller told Patch the thieves target communities with older populations, who still mail checks to pay bills. The attempted theft is under investigation.

Related:

Mokena Post Office Mailbox Target Of Attempted Break-In: Police

New Lenox Post Office Target Of Mailbox Break-In: Police

Mail Theft Investigation Underway At New Lenox Post Office