Reward Offered in Attempted Robbery of Post Office

NORTHRIDGE —  The U.S. Postal Service has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man who tried to rob the Porter Ranch post office branch.

The robber--a cleanshaven, bespectacled man who waited in line Monday afternoon before presenting a window clerk with a note demanding money--is believed to be the same person who tried to rob the main Northridge post office on July 31, Postal Service Inspector Terry Thome said.

In both incidents, the would-be robber fled without getting any money.

“Before anyone gives him anything, he ran out the door,” Thome said. “This is very atypical. . . . You wonder if he’s lost his nerve.”

On Monday, a man entered the post office at 19300 Rinaldi St. about 2:30 p.m., Thome said. He gave the window clerk a note saying he had a gun, demanded cash and reached for his pocket as if he had a weapon.

The man, who spoke with an accent, is described as an Asian about 30 years old, weighing 160 to 170 pounds and standing about 5 feet 7. He was wearing dark pants, a khaki shirt with rolled-up sleeves and a tie, Thome said.

Officials urged anyone with information to call the postal service’s 24-hour hotline at (626) 405-1208.