About a dozen federal and local law enforcement officers raided a home in South Taft early Friday, seeking evidence in connection with the Oct. 16 robbery of a mail truck in Taft.

Officers from the United States Postal Inspection Service and Kern County Sheriff’s Office served a federal search warrant at 307 Crystal about 7 a.m. on Friday.

Renee Focht, public information officer for the postal inspectors, said she couldn’t comment on what evidence the investigators were looking for or what was seized.
She said she could not comment on the man who was detained at the scene and placed inside a deputy’s patrol car.

Focht confirmed the warrant was served in connection with the kidnapping and robbery two weeks ago in which a gunman commandeered a truck carrying mail and cash as it left Taft and forced the driver to take the truck to a remote location at the east end of the old hospital complex on East North Street.

She said the postal inspectors were continuing to work closely with Taft Police on the investigation.

The postal inspectors want to prosecute the suspect on federal robbery charges that could carry a prison term of up to 25 years.
Police are pursuing possible prosecution for kidnapping in state court.

Check taftmidwaydriller.com later for updates on the story.