Merrillville Duo, Postal Robbery, Indiana 2019

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Merrillville Duo Convicted of Conspiring to Rob U.S. Postal Service

A Merrillville couple, James Caffey, 28, and Tanisha Banks, 38, has been convicted of conspiring to rob the United States Postal Service of mail and money that was in the custody and control of the U.S. Postal Service.

According to the evidence presented at the 4-day jury trial, Tanisha Banks, a Postal Service employee with experience working at the Tolleston Station, provided the logistics for the robbery while her boyfriend, James Caffey, handled transportation to and from the robbery. Together, Banks and Caffey recruited the gunman, Leeroy Beck, who would actually carry out the robbery.

At trial, evidence was presented establishing that Caffey provided Beck with a handgun to use during the robbery. On August 3, 2017, after holding two employees at gun point, Leeroy Beck stole money and mail from the Postal Service. The cash was divided amongst the conspirators. Banks and Caffey used their share from the robbery to pay bills, including a car note on the gray Dodge Charger James Caffey used to drive the gunman to and from the robbery.

The gunman, Leeroy Beck, entered into a guilty plea with the government prior to trial.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Gary Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant United States Attorneys Diane Berkowitz and Thomas McGrath.

Merrillville Duo Convicted of Conspiring to Rob U.S. Postal Service: The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating crimes. James Caffey and Tanisha Banks were convicted of conspiring to rob the U.S. Postal Service of mail and money on August 3, 2017.

The exact date of the crime was August 3, 2017. The case was tried in the Northern District of Indiana. The defendants were convicted on January 28, 2019. The outcome of the case was that James Caffey and Tanisha Banks were convicted of conspiring to rob the U.S. Postal Service and aiding and abetting the robbery of U.S. Postal employees. The defendants were prosecuted by Diane Berkowitz and Thomas McGrath. The investigation was led by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Gary Police Department.