Lobbies Reopen After Arrests : 2 Linked to Burglaries, Vandalism at Post Offices

San Fernando police investigating the burglary of a department store have stumbled onto evidence they believe links two men to a series of vandalistic burglaries at post offices throughout the San Fernando Valley for the last month, officials said Tuesday.

During August, the vandals struck 10 post offices, eight of them in the San Fernando Valley. Entering post-office lobbies after regular business hours, the vandals would break into the automatic stamp-vending machines, taking stamps and money, according to U.S. Postal Inspector William Watson. Damages to property and loot from the thefts have been estimated to total $10,000, he said.

The crimes led Van Nuys Postmaster Jim Dillman to have all Valley post-office lobbies lock up at 5 p.m., when employees leave for the day, instead of leaving them open 24 hours as before.

24-Hour Access Resumed

Postal officials said they have reopened the lobbies 24 hours a day since the burglary arrest Sunday evening.

San Fernando police, responding to a burglary call at a Sears store, arrested two men who were carrying luggage to the parking lot, Lt. Dan Peavy said.

Peavy said James H. Alger Jr., 47, of Pacoima, and 19-year-old Robbie Ray Nichols of Mission Hills were arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of stolen property. When officers went to the suspects’ residences to question family members, they found evidence that led them to believe the two might be responsible for the post-office thefts, Peavy said.

About $4,000 worth of stamps was recovered from the home of one of the suspects, according to Postal Inspector Watson.

Will Seek Charges

Postal officials said they will ask the U.S. attorney’s office to charge the men with damaging government property, theft and vandalism.

Each crime is a felony that carries a maximum three-year prison term and a $1,000 fine, Watson said.

Alger and Nichols are being held in Los Angeles County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bail, police said. They are expected to be charged in the department-tore burglary today.