A St. Paul man has admitted to using armed force to steal from United States Postal Service (USPS) workers in incidents that have shaken the local community, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota. Rubin David Adams, 26, pleaded guilty to armed robbery charges in connection with two separate attacks on postal employees, in which he and an accomplice threatened victims and demanded keys—a valuable asset for committing further crimes.
The first robbery took place on November 18, 2023, in Edina, where court documents obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office reported that Adams assisted in accosting a letter carrier with a handgun when they failed to produce a mailbox key, instead surrendering a pair of USPS vehicle keys, the next day Adams, himself wielding a firearm in Brooklyn Center, pressed a gun to another USPS worker's head demanding—then making off with—two USPS mailbox keys. Despite the dramatic nature of the crimes, there is no indication that anyone was physically harmed in these incidents.
The significance of the stolen mailbox keys lies in their potential for further illegal endeavors, including theft of mail, cash, checks, and sensitive financial documents. As property of the USPS, unauthorized possession of these keys constitutes a federal crime, highlighting the seriousness of Adams's offenses. The plea was entered before U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Tostrud, with a sentence yet to be determined at a future hearing.
The apprehension and prosecution of Adams resulted from a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and several police departments from across the region, this case, the details of which were meticulously pieced together, showcases the extensive collaborative work required to ensure justice, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Polachek leading the prosecution. An official date for sentencing is pending as the court proceedings continue to unfold.
