Package thieves possibly using USPS mail keys are leaving Fishtown residents fed up

PHILADELPHIA – A property manager at a Fishtown apartment complex says video captured two thieves breaking in and stealing packages from residents. The residents are frustrated and want this to stop.

The property manager told FOX 29 News he was surprised when he saw two package thieves bypass the electronic security at the front door at 6 a.m. Thursday.

What was unique about it was how they broke in.

“They used a United States Postal Service mail key that unlocks many different units in the area so the postal workers can deliver the mail,” said Jordan Leibowitz, property manager.

Experienced detectives who have seen the video say it appears these two “are well practiced at this and have done it before.”

They enter with backpacks and empty bags, and are out in two minutes, dragging full bags of packages they have chosen from the shelves of the delivery area into the secure area.

“If this happens to us, I’m sure it’s happening to other buildings in the area,” Leibowitz said.

“I work for the government and sometimes I am sent sensitive information. Such people can take very sensitive things with them. It is obviously not good for several reasons,” says resident Daniel Orsino.

“I was quite shocked. I don’t know how easy or difficult it is to get one of those postal keys. I was under the impression that only postal workers had them. And these things unlock tons of units in the area so they I was shocked that they had one in their possession,” Leibowitz added.

‘I can’t imagine this is the first building they’ve hit. They actually knew exactly what to do.”

FOX 29 News has reached out to the United States Postal Inspection Service and has not heard back.

“A tenant has had medicine stolen. Another girl, it’s her birthday, and she ordered clothes to go out, and it’s all been stolen. I’m getting more and more tenants contacting me and so the more tenants are realize they’re missing something.” After this theft, we are trying to figure out how much was actually stolen,” Leibowitz said.

“No matter what we do, it feels like they’re going to have the upper hand as long as they have the key to get in,” he continued.

“We had a police officer come from Philly. He was great, super helpful. He wrote us a report for one of our tenants.”

For now, everyone here is concerned about delivery.

“I don’t want anything sent to my house, not even a letter or even junk mail at this point,” said one resident.

“What would be really ideal is if they came out and changed this to a new box and a new key,” Leibowitz concluded.