A Memphis man, Marshawn Lewis, was arrested in connection with the armed robbery of two U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees. The robberies, which took place within days of each other in late November and early December 2023, left the postal workers shaken but unharmed. Lewis, 24, faces two counts of aggravated robbery related to these incidents. His arrest came after a coordinated investigation by local authorities and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, spurred by a substantial reward offer and a tip-off from an anonymous source.
The Robberies: November and December Incidents
The first robbery occurred on November 29th, 2023, at the Cedar Mills Apartments, followed by another at the Landings Apartments on December 2nd. In both cases, the suspect approached the postal carriers while they were working, demanding that they hand over their keys. According to police reports, the robber then stole the USPS vehicles, making off with the letter carriers’ means of transport.
Despite the threat of violence, neither of the postal workers was physically harmed. However, the psychological trauma of being held at gunpoint during their workday understandably left both victims shaken. The robberies occurred just as the holiday season was approaching, making the situation particularly tense for those involved.
The Investigation and Breakthrough
A breakthrough in the case came swiftly after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. This reward helped generate significant public interest, and a tip from an anonymous source eventually led investigators to Marshawn Lewis.
Lewis was no stranger to the authorities. He had previously been implicated in a 2022 investigation involving similar crimes. Records showed that a postal inspector had already been familiar with Lewis’s name due to his involvement in prior criminal activity related to theft. Though it is unclear whether Lewis was arrested or charged in connection with those earlier cases, it was evident that he had a history of similar behavior, making him a prime suspect in the current robberies.
With this new lead, investigators were able to obtain a federal search warrant for Lewis’s apartment. What they found during the search only deepened suspicions about his involvement in the robberies and other criminal activities.
Search of Lewis’s Apartment
During the search of Lewis’s apartment in Southeast Memphis, officers found several items linked to identity theft, including stolen checks. Investigators also discovered other items that suggested illegal activities, such as fraudulent documents. However, despite an extensive search, the officers did not find the stolen USPS vehicle keys, which were central to the investigation.
In a strange turn of events, the investigation revealed that while officers were conducting the search on the third floor of the apartment building, Lewis allegedly threw evidence off the balcony. A tipster later reported seeing the thrown items, leading authorities to recover a keychain used by USPS letter carriers and a single bullet from behind his apartment building. This discovery, though circumstantial, further implicated Lewis in the crimes, solidifying the case against him.
While the stolen keys were not recovered, the presence of the USPS keychain and the bullet strongly suggested that Lewis had been involved in the robbery of postal workers. These items, combined with the earlier tip-off and his criminal history, were enough to arrest him.
Ongoing Investigation and Additional Rewards
Although Lewis is now in custody, the investigation is far from over. Authorities are still working to piece together the full extent of his involvement in the string of robberies. A key aspect of the ongoing investigation is the robbery that took place on December 10th, 2023, when another USPS letter carrier was targeted. This incident, which was not initially linked to Lewis, remains unsolved, and police are actively seeking information from the public.
A reward of up to $150,000 is once again being offered for anyone who can provide details leading to an arrest and conviction in connection with this December 10th robbery. Authorities have also released a description of the vehicle seen in connection with this robbery—a black 2015 or 2016 Ford Fusion with minor front-end damage. Law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward to help close this case.
Conclusion
Marshawn Lewis’s arrest marks a significant step forward in the investigation into the armed robberies of USPS employees in Memphis. Although no one was physically harmed in the robberies, the psychological toll on the victims and the impact on the community were significant. The quick work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, local law enforcement, and the cooperation of the public through tips led to the successful identification and arrest of the suspect. However, with additional robberies still under investigation, authorities are continuing their efforts to bring closure to the remaining open cases. As the investigation progresses, the public’s help will be crucial in ensuring that all those responsible for targeting postal workers are held accountable.
