WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – Two men were sentenced for armed robberies that targeted United States Postal Service (USPS) mail carriers.
Sentenced on Monday (July 21) were Michael Lamar Smith-Ellis, 31, of Detroit, and Terrance Tucker, 33, of Phoenix, Arizona.
Recommended Videos
Smith-Ellis and Tucker each received seven-year prison sentences.
According to court documents, in September and October 2023, Smith-Ellis and Tucker robbed mail carriers at gunpoint and demanded their “arrow keys” or USPS master keys that can be used to access postal mailboxes to steal mail for the suspects’ gains.
Smith-Ellis and Tucker were said to be arrested within minutes after the armed robbery of the mail carrier in Northville.
A search of the vehicle driven by the men revealed firearms, gear, several credit cards in other people’s names, along with a USPS key ring and an “arrow key”.
The United States Postal Inspections Service investigated the case with assistance provided by Taylor, Northville, and Livonia police departments.