Philly Man Admits To Robbing, Kidnapping Postal Workers

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man admitted in federal court to kidnapping and robbing United States Postal Service workers with a fake gun earlier this year.

Federal authorities Wednesday said James Chandler, 55, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery of a postal employee and one count of kidnapping.

In February 2021, Chandler was charged by Indictment in connection with two incidents that occurred on Jan. 11 and Feb. 4, during which Chandler robbed postal workers using a replica handgun, forcing them into their postal trucks and stealing packages from inside.

During 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.

"Targeting and violently assaulting employees of the United States Postal Service is a serious federal crime," Acting U.S. Attorney Williams said. "Mail carriers provide an essential service to nearly every citizen and business, oftentimes going above and beyond to execute their duties in challenging circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Chandler terrorized two postal workers using a replica handgun, and he will now face the serious consequences of his crimes."

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Oshana.