Man Gets 21 Years For Kidnapping, Robbing Postal Workers In Philly

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man who admitted to kidnapping and robbing United States Postal Service workers has been sentenced to nearly 22 year in federal prison.

United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said James Chandler, 55, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison, and five years of supervised for two counts of robbery of a postal worker and one count of kidnapping.

In September 2021, Chandler pleaded guilty to the charges in connection with two incidents that occurred on Jan. 11 and Feb. 4, 2021.

During the incidents, Chandler robbed postal workers using a replica handgun, forcing them into their postal trucks and stealing packages from inside.

In the incident in February, Chandler also forced the postal worker to drive him for several blocks in her postal truck before he fled on foot.