In what Chicago police warn could be a recurring problem during the holiday season, a man was arrested for allegedly trying to steal mail and packages from a U.S. postal truck parked in the East Garfield Park neighborhood.
In a news release, police compared the man — Darrick Smith, of the 7300 block of South Harvard Avenue — to the Grinch, the Dr. Seuss character who tried to steal Christmas.
Officer Damien Bolden was off duty Friday night when he noticed Smith and another man allegedly loading mail into a black GMC Suburban from the postal truck, which had a shattered window and was parked on the 5900 block of West Fulton Street.
Bolden, who was unarmed and without his police badge, said he trailed the vehicle through the West Side, alerting fellow officers of its whereabouts.
The other man fled before police arrived, Bolden said during a Saturday news conference.
Smith was caught in the 900 block of North Parkside Avenue while allegedly shoveling mail out of the Suburban and onto the street, Bertrand said. He was charged with one count of felony burglary.
Police said letters, magazines and some packages were recovered near the scene of Smith’s arrest and from his SUV.
