Baldwin Park man admits guilt in robbery of mail carriers and theft of mail.
A resident of Baldwin Park has entered a guilty plea in connection with a series of robberies involving U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carriers, according to filings in federal court. Ruben Baca Lopez, aged 34, pleaded guilty on September 16 in Los Angeles federal court to two counts of robbery involving mail, money, or other property of the United States, committed with the use of a dangerous weapon, along with one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
The charges stem from incidents that occurred in April and May 2024, when Baca Lopez allegedly approached a postal worker in a USPS delivery vehicle. As documented in his plea agreement, he confronted the victim while he was seated in his truck, demanding that he “give him everything” while brandishing a gun tucked into his waistband. During this encounter, Baca Lopez stole a smartphone, the vehicle’s keys, a postal key, and other access keys to local apartment complexes.
Following the initial robbery, authorities report that Baca Lopez utilized these keys to unlawfully access mailboxes and pilfer mail throughout the Baldwin Park area. In a subsequent incident in May, he robbed another USPS letter carrier while the victim was delivering mail at an apartment complex.
Baca Lopez’s criminal behavior escalated when he was apprehended by two U.S. Postal Inspection Service inspectors. As they attempted to arrest him, he did not comply with their instructions and physically assaulted both inspectors, resulting in injuries to one of them.
Significantly, Baca Lopez was found in possession of ammunition capable of being chambered in a “ghost gun,” which is a firearm manufactured without a serial number. His history of felony convictions prohibits him from legally owning firearms or ammunition. Previous convictions include domestic violence and false imprisonment in April 2020, as well as an assault-related conviction in November 2021. He also faced a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in February 2016.
At his upcoming sentencing scheduled for December 16, Baca Lopez faces significant penalties, potentially amounting to 25 years for each count of robbery and up to 15 years for the ammunition charge, as indicated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of postal workers and the illegal possession of firearms in the community.
The judicial proceedings underscore the serious implications of his criminal actions not only for postal employees but also for public safety at large. The case continues to unfold as authorities work to address the challenges posed by such crimes.
