More than a dozen people broke into the post office at the Thompson Center in the Loop early Monday, according to Chicago police.
The group broke down the front door of the post office in the first block of West Randolph Street about 12:35 p.m., police said.
Although police initially reported 18 suspects, video shared Monday afternoon by the US Postal Inspection Service shows about six or seven young men entering the post office.
The video shows them walking around the office, some of them off camera, before running out 45 seconds after entering.
The first person to enter the post office is seen in the video carrying a bag as he leaves.
Police were still investigating what was taken, CPD spokesman Tom Ahern said in a text.
The post office will remain closed until further notice, according to signs taped to the windows late Monday morning by a postal inspector.
The US Postal Inspection Service said it is investigating the attack with Chicago police.
“We are gathering information and will attempt to release information as warranted at a later date,” inspector general spokeswoman Mary T. Johnson said in an email to the Sun-Times.
He did not respond to further questions about the number of suspects or what was taken.
While it’s unclear what the group wanted to steal, the thieves have been targeting postal service mailers for their master keys, also known as arrow keys, which can open all group mailboxes, such as they are located within the lobbies of apartment buildings within a specific zip code. .
Thieves have used these keys to steal mail and collect written checks, which can be washed of their ink and rewritten by themselves. the Sun-Times reported.
Security at the Thompson Center is controlled by a development partnership that includes Michael Reschke, president of Prime Group, and Quintin Primo III, executive chairman of Capri Investment Group.
Primo said the incident appeared to be a “random act of violence.” He also said the association is working with law enforcement on this issue and is “committed to the safety and security of the Thompson Center.”
Eventually, the building will be owned by Google, which plans to occupy it in 2026.
