18-year-old charged with robbing Berkeley mail carrier
Police said regional license plate readers and neighborhood security footage helped them catch suspect Brayan Reynaga-Reyes.
An 18-year-old from Palo Alto is facing robbery charges after taking a Berkeley postal carrier's USPS keys in September, authorities report.
Authorities arrested Brayan Reynaga-Reyes last week in connection with the robbery, which took place Sept. 23 in the 2800 block of Benvenue Avenue in the typically peaceful Elmwood neighborhood.
In response to a Scanner inquiry, police said the mail carrier — a woman in her 50s — was on Benvenue Avenue near Russell Street when the young man approached her and appeared to simulate "pointing a firearm at her through his pocket" shortly before 1 p.m.
"After taking the postal carrier’s USPS keys, the carrier took note of the license plates of the vehicle the suspect drove away in and reported it to Berkeley PD," police said.
Authorities used regional license plate readers and security footage from the neighborhood to identify the suspect vehicle, which ultimately led them to Reynaga-Reyes, police said.
Brayan Reynaga-Reyes. BPD
On Wednesday, detectives from Berkeley and members of the US Postal Inspection Service served a warrant at Reynaga-Reyes' home in Palo Alto. They arrested him without incident, BPD said.
During the warrant search, officers found a ghost gun with a 15-round magazine, ammunition, an "Autel device" (commonly used to steal vehicles) and several other pieces of evidence, authorities said.
The next day, the Alameda County district attorney’s office charged Reynaga-Reyes with robbery.
A judge released him on his own recognizance and he is scheduled to enter a plea Dec. 3, according to records online.
Berkeley mail carriers were also robbed in July, in the 2400 block of Ellsworth Street, and in October, in the 2300 block of Jefferson Street.
Over the summer, thieves also targeted a mail truck parked in Berkeley and stole mail while the carrier was making deliveries.
Emilie Raguso
In general, mail carrier robberies are rare in Berkeley but they have become increasingly common around the Bay Area since the pandemic, authorities have said.
Tips leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for mail carrier robberies can garner rewards up to $150,000.
USPS encourages residents to keep an eye out for their mail carriers, including anyone who may be following them.
Authorities ask anyone who has tips about crimes involving mail carriers to call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.
