Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Massachusetts State Police assigned to USPIS and Melrose Police have confirmed that two juveniles have been arrested and charged with armed masked robbery in connection with allegedly using an apparent firearm and a knife to rob a United States Postal Service letter carrier in Melrose.

Two 16-year-old Somerville males were arraigned today in juvenile court. With the exception of youthful offender cases, juvenile court proceedings are closed to the public.

On Saturday, December 10, 2022, the Melrose Police responded to Orchard Lane for a report of two males who had threatened a postal employee.

The subsequent investigation revealed that the two juveniles were sitting on the steps to an Orchard Lane home when the victim pulled up. The victim delivered mail to a home on the street and as she approached the driver’s door of her truck the two juveniles allegedly approached her, pointed an airsoft pistol at her and showed her a knife and demanded postal property.  The letter carrier complied and the defendants fled the scene.

After a review of video, witness interviews and other evidence, police were able to identify the alleged suspects.  On December 18, 2022, police saw a suspicious vehicle in the area of a USPS collection box in Melrose. The juveniles were located inside the vehicle allegedly in possession of mail and the stolen postal property.

Investigators further learned that the two males had allegedly heard about the idea to steal mail containing checks through TikTok trends and other places as a way to make money.

This case was investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Massachusetts State Police assigned to USPIS and Melrose Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s Office.  Somerville Police also assisted with the arrest of the juveniles. The prosecutor assigned to this case is Jaqueline McCormack. The Victim Witness Advocate is Kristen Chamberlain.

-Middlesex District Attorney’s Office