BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) responsible for robbing the driver of a U.S. Postal Service truck at the intersection of Taft Highway (119) and East Kern Street in Taft, Calif., on Oct. 16.

On Oct. 16, at approximately 5:25 p.m., police said a lone man carjacked a Postal Service truck when it was stopped at the intersection of Taft Highway while travelling eastbound on East Kern Street.

The man directed the driver to turn right from the left-turn lane and head south to an abandoned hospital at the 100 block of E. North Street, police said.

The Postal Service truck is a white 5-ton box vehicle with the words ”U.S. Mail Transporter” appearing on the side doors and two Postal Service logos on the rear door.

The man is described as Hispanic, late teens to early 20s, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 165 to 175 pounds.

Police said he was last seen wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt with writing on the back, dark-colored khakis, and white and black tennis shoes. The man was described as having short black hair with a short goatee and a thin mustache.

Police said the man’s weapon is believed to be a semiautomatic handgun. It has a silver-chrome snub-nose with a dark grip.

The man is considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached.

Police said a second suspect arrived in a vehicle at an abandoned hospital, but there is no further information about the second suspect. The two suspects fled the area in an unknown direction shortly before 5:46 p.m.

An armed robbery of a Postal Service employee is a federal crime, and first-time offenders may be imprisoned for up to 25 years. The suspect faces additional state charges for false imprisonment or kidnapping.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the City of Taft Police Department. Anyone having information about the suspect(s) or this crime is urged to contact U.S. Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455, option 2.

Callers may remain anonymous.