History Spotlight

  • September 2024

    September 1, 2024

    Smith & Wind Crime Spree Ends
    On September 16, 1900, Post Office Inspectors and detectives of the Pinkerton Agency arrest “Michigan Red” for robbing multiple banks and post offices.
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  • August 2024

    August 1, 2024

    Smith & Wind Crime Spree Ends
    On August 4, 1898, Tim Wind and Sam Smith are arrested for the robbery of a Wells Fargo express train and two Kansas post offices.
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  • July 2024

    July 1, 2024

    Kenyon Delivers During Two World Wars
    On July 24, 1942, Postal Inspector William Kenyon is named acting chief of the Army Postal Service during World War II.
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  • June 2024

    June 1, 2024

    Thieves Caught on Camera
    In 1977, New York City thieves stole a shipment of Registered Mail containing over $40,000 in U.S. Postage from a mail truck. Postal Inspectors jumped on the case.
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  • May 2024

    May 4, 2024

    Heritage USA Fraud
    Jim Bakker, a well-known televangelist, raised over $400 million by selling “lifetime partnerships” to a theme park & resort in Fort Mill, SC. However, this proved to be nothing more than an elaborate scheme to steal from innocent victims.
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  • April 2024

    April 27, 2024

    The 500-Pound Con Man
    Alex Herbage, a larger than life fraudster, stole over $56 MILLION from victim investors. After Postal Inspectors uncovered his scam, he had to be extradited to the United State in a military cargo plane due to his size.
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    April 20, 2024

    The Robbery OF Maxwell Lackey
    Three men armed with revolvers escape with more than $50K of Registered Mail after robbing a mail truck on a quiet street in Butler, PA. Despite leaving little evidence, unusual purchases of new vehicles in Ohio set Postal Inspectors on their trail.
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    April 13, 2024

    Easton, Pennsylvania Mail Bombs
    When disaster strikes, Postal Inspectors are called in to recover the mail, secure postal assets, and restore mail service. From salvaging wrecks to searching the depths of a frozen lake, recovery missions come in many forms. LEARN MORE

    April 6, 2024

    Shootout at Penn’s Grove Post Office
    Nine men broke into the Penn’s Grove Post Office in hopes of stealing payroll checks. Little did they know – Postal Inspectors & local police were already waiting for them.
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  • March 2024

    March 30, 2024

    Easton, Pennsylvania Mail Bombs
    Two young men approached the counter at the Easton Post Office and handed over six packages to the clerk. What happened next resulted in tragedy.LEARN MORE

    March 23, 2024

    Frank P. Ellis & the Nobel Robbery
    FIn 1930, five bandits boarded a mail train near the abandoned Nobel, California train station and stole $56,000 worth of mail and goods.LEARN MORE

    March 16, 2024

    Callahan Gang
    Following a shootout at the Breman station Post Office, Postal inspectors began pursuing a notorious gang known for stealing a fortune in diamonds. After a year of pursuing them, a chance encounter would help solve the case.
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    March 9, 2024

    Absalom Markland
    Reliable mail service was critical during the Civil War. Recently discovered Absalom Markland was a Postal Inspector & friend of Ulysses S. Grant, who played a vital role in establishing mail service for Union troops during the war.
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    March 2, 2024

    Women Inspectors and Polygraphers
    The Postal Inspection Service became one of the first federal law enforcement agencies to hire female agents in 1971. From Janene Gordon to “DD” Thombs, woman Postal Inspectors have served vital roles for decades.
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  • February 2024

    February 24. 2024

    Leper Colony Post Office
    Due to stigma & misunderstandings surrounding the disease, individuals with leprosy were once isolated into colonies. being cut off, these residents looked to the post office as a vital means of communicating with the outside world.
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    February 17. 2024

    Threatening Letters
    Threatening letters sent to government officials and high-profile individuals are nothing new. Today, protecting American officials and public figures remains an important aspect of the Inspection Service’s duties to our country.
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    February 10, 2024

    Black History in the Inspection Service Part 2
    The Postal Inspection Service is made up of an elite group of men and women from all backgrounds & walks of life, which adds to the strength of our agency.
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    February 3, 2024

    Black History in the Inspection Service Part 1
    Postal Inspectors have a long-standing tradition of hiring extraordinary individuals of all backgrounds. During Black History month, we proudly highlight some of the influential Black figures from our agency’s history.
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  • January 2024

    January 27, 2024

    Smart Corpse
    Following a baffling series of robberies onboard a mail train, Postal Inspector John Streich devised a clever plan to catch the thieves – he was going to wait inside a coffin until they appeared.
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    January 20, 2024

    Handwriting Analysis
    In the 19th century, Postal Inspectors became experts in the field of handwriting analysis, as nearly every aspect of an inspector’s role included reading and investigating suspects’ letters, signatures, and ultimately their handwriting.
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    January 13. 2024

    Robberies in Cook County Post Office
    In 1893, several post offices were robbed in the Chicago area, The following year, Postal Inspectors arrested three men and their wives in connection with the robberies. But one of the men arrested was not who he said he was…
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    January 6, 2024

    Chasing Down the Counterfeiters
    Since the first stamp was issued, criminals have tired to make a quick buck by selling counterfeits. Postal Inspectors have been investigating & combatting counterfeit postage for over 150 years.
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