Man Charged with Armed Robberies Involving USPS Carriers

Armed Robberies Target USPS Carriers in San Fernando Valley

A 28-year-old man, Andranik Naghdalyan, has been arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies targeting United States Postal Service (USPS) carriers in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. The arrests follow incidents reported in December, January, and February.

Naghdalyan was apprehended last month by the Los Angeles Police Department and has since been charged with robbery of a mail carrier, a federal offense that carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

The incidents began on December 3, with locations including Valley Village, Studio City, and Sherman Oaks. Additional robberies took place on January 31 and February 21 and 22.

In each case, the suspect approached postal carriers armed with a firearm, demanding their keys and electronic scanners before fleeing the scene in a white Lexus sedan. During a December 3 robbery, the suspect demanded the carrier’s mail keys; however, the carrier pretended to faint, falling atop the key to prevent its theft. Despite a brief struggle, the carrier’s USPS scanner was ultimately stolen.

Police arrested Naghdalyan following a robbery on February 22 in Sherman Oaks after they located him during a traffic stop. Authorities reported recovering evidence linking him to the crimes from his vehicle.

Investigators are now working to identify any additional victims. Below are the specific locations and dates of the reported crimes:

• Dec. 3, 2025: Approximately 4:40 p.m., 5200 block of Corteen Place, Valley Village
• Jan. 31: Approximately 11:20 a.m., 4100 block of Whitsett Avenue, Studio City
• Feb. 21: Approximately 2 p.m., 4800 block of Morella Avenue, Studio City
• Feb. 21: Approximately 2:23 p.m., 5700 block of Whitsett Avenue, Valley Village
• Feb. 22: Approximately 12:30 p.m., 5400 block of Ethel Avenue, Sherman Oaks

Reports of serious crimes against USPS employees have surged in recent years, with robbery identified as one of the fastest-growing offenses. An analysis by the U.S. Government Accountability Office noted that serious crimes against postal workers doubled between 2019 and 2023, increasing from 609 incidents to 1,198.