Man arrested for stealing mail using an official USPS master key in Gig Harbor

A man was arrested in Gig Harbor for allegedly using an official United States Postal Service (USPS) master key to steal mail from residents across the city.

This arrest came after the Gig Harbor Police Department received multiple complaints from residents over missing mail.

“For the past several weeks, the Gig Harbor Police Department has received numerous reports of lost or stolen mail from community mailbox banks throughout the city,” the department stated. “The United States Postal Service issued a notice to one homeowners’ association indicating their belief that a missing, counterfeit, or replicated USPS master key may be in circulation and used by criminal elements to commit mail theft and related crimes, including fraud and possession of stolen mail.”

On Sept. 9, through a search warrant, detectives found and recovered an official USPS master key when searching through a vehicle tied to the investigation. Detectives also recovered a large quantity of stolen mail originating from addresses within Gig Harbor, a firearm, and a significant quantity of narcotics.

A 34-year-old male suspect was arrested. He is currently being held in the Pierce County Jail on multiple charges related to this case and others spanning multiple jurisdictions, according to the Gig Harbor Police Department.

“We thank our law enforcement partners, including the Lakewood Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service, for their assistance,” Gig Harbor Police said. “All mail evidence recovered in this case has been released to the United States Postal Inspection Service for auditing and formal owner notification.”

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