A Texas UPS driver is accused of stealing a massive haul of luxury goods and tech items from the packages intended for local residents.
A press release from the office of Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz says that 37-year-old Armando Garcia was recently taken into custody after police found over $200,000 of stolen packages at his home. Garcia had worked for the company for five years, which seems like roughly the amount of time it would take to steal that much stuff.
The haul of “luxury goods and high-end electronics” that the driver is alleged to have stolen include luxury designer items like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Ferragamo, and Fendi handbags, wallets, and accessories, jewelry, designer clothes, iPhones, iPads, smartwatches, power tools and electronic accessories, the DA’s office says.
Saenz’ office says that a probe was initiated after UPS Security, the company’s internal unit, alerted local authorities to “missing high-value parcels.” Police then “successfully tracked stolen devices to Garcia’s residence in San Benito, Texas, leading law enforcement to obtain and execute a search warrant with the assistance of HSI agents,” the press release states.
Garcia was at home at the time of the police search and he was taken into custody without incident, authorities said. He has been hit with various theft charges.
“This was a deliberate and organized effort to steal high-value merchandise meant for paying customers,” said DA Saenz in a statement. “Crimes like this not only hurt businesses but also shake consumer confidence. Our Special Investigations Unit remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who engage in financial crimes are held accountable. Cameron County will not tolerate theft at any level.”
One would think that UPS would have a way to monitor the location and delivery of various packages, so it’s unclear how so much merchandise was allowed to go missing or how much time it took to catch on to the theft issue. Gizmodo reached out to UPS for more information.
The DA’s office says that “additional suspects and charges” are “expected as the investigation continues,” so it may be that more arrests are announced soon. Stay tuned if your designer bag was never delivered.
