Police say a mail route in Waimea turned into an impromptu showdown on Mamalahoa Highway when a Hilo man allegedly grabbed a U.S. Postal Service worker’s master keys, the kind used to open PO boxes and blue collection boxes. On March 20, officers say the man pulled his car in front of the postal worker’s truck, demanded her driver’s license, keys and cell phone, and the worker handed over her license and keys but refused to give up her phone. According to police, the suspect then drove off with the postal keys.
What police say happened
As reported by Hawaii News Now, officers found 37-year-old Tristan De Witt Kiyan the next day, March 21, and noticed the stolen postal keys hanging from a lanyard around his neck. A search of his vehicle turned up 23.14 grams of marijuana, and police charged Kiyan with second-degree theft, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information and third-degree promoting a detrimental drug. His total bail was set at $10,100, and a judge later granted supervised release and ordered a mental health exam, according to the report.
Why postal keys matter
Postal keys such as arrow or MAL keys can open multiple mail receptacles, which is why they have become a prime target for thieves looking to access mail and commit identity or financial fraud. The U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service have been rolling out Project Safe Delivery measures, including high security blue boxes and replacement electronic locks, to cut down on robberies and misuse of those keys. The agency says tighter key accountability and hardware upgrades are part of broader efforts to protect letter carriers and customers, and it has publicly outlined those steps. U.S. Postal Service
Legal implications
Kiyan’s charges are currently in state court, but possession or misuse of Postal Service keys has led to federal prosecutions in other cases. U.S. attorneys have indicted defendants in matters involving stolen arrow keys, stolen mail and related fraud, and federal penalties for mail theft and unlawful possession of Postal Service property can be steep. The Department of Justice has pursued similar cases with Postal Inspectors in other cities. Local prosecutors will decide how the state charges move forward and whether federal investigators take further interest.
What to do if you see suspicious activity
Residents who notice suspicious behavior near mail routes, cluster boxes or blue collection boxes are urged to report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service online or by phone. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service offers a mail theft report form and a nationwide hotline at 1-877-876-2455, along with tips on protecting your mail and filing complaints. Police say the investigation is ongoing and that they will release updates if additional charges are filed or other developments occur.
