April 2, 2025
Armando Garcia is the one one who has been arrested, however authorities suspect different UPS staff had been concerned.
Authorities have apprehended Armando Garcia, 37, a five-year worker of UPS, in reference to a considerable theft operation performed on the firm’s Brownsville, Texas, Distribution Middle.
The Cameron County District Lawyer’s Workplace (CCDA) Particular Investigations Unit (SIU), in collaboration with the McAllen FBI, UPS Safety, and Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI), executed a search warrant at Garcia’s San Benito residence, recovering over $200,000 value of stolen luxurious items and electronics.
Garcia has been charged with theft—Texas Penal Code 31.03(e)(5), a third-degree felony. The investigation started after a report from UPS Safety relating to lacking high-value parcels was filed. Investigators traced the stolen gadgets to Garcia’s residence, resulting in the search warrant.
The search revealed a big cache of stolen merchandise, together with luxurious designer objects from manufacturers akin to Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Ferragamo, and Dior, in addition to Apple iPhones, iPads, smartwatches, high-end jewellery, designer clothes, energy instruments, and quite a few UPS transport baggage containing discarded parcel containers with authentic transport labels.
Garcia was detained and brought into custody at his residence with out subject. To this point, he’s the one one who has been arrested, however authorities suspect that there have been different UPS staff concerned within the theft.
“This was a deliberate and arranged effort to steal high-value merchandise meant for paying prospects,” District Lawyer Luis V. Saenz stated in a press release. “Crimes like this not solely harm companies but in addition shake client confidence. Our Particular Investigations Unit stays dedicated to working with our regulation enforcement companions to make sure those that have interaction in monetary crimes are held accountable. Cameron County is not going to tolerate theft at any stage.”
Saenz lauded the CCDA SIU for its diligence, noting the company’s willingness to pursue the case after different companies opted out.
The Cameron County theft incident isn’t UPS’ first rodeo with staff with sticky fingers.
In Sugar Metropolis, Idaho, Jarek Smith, proprietor of Holidae Enjoyable and Video games, claimed that he additionally suffered important losses because of UPS staff stealing $25,000 in merchandise.
Smith reported he had lacking packages containing worthwhile taking part in playing cards for the “Magic The Gathering” card recreation.
“We had a package deal go lacking again in October 2023, and we by no means might observe it down to determine what occurred,” Smith stated in November 2024. “Inside per week, we had a second one, and it was marked as broken from a liquid spill of some type. They claimed that one other package deal had leaked out of it, or leaked its contents onto different packages, and that broken it past restore.”
An inside UPS investigation led to the arrests of Jerry Hodges, John Forsyth, and Mitchell Wilwand. Hodges reportedly manipulated package deal designations to facilitate theft, whereas Wilwand and Forsyth admitted stealing varied items.
In February, in Riviera Seaside, Florida, three UPS staff had been arrested for stealing over $500,000 value of iPhones, tablets, and equipment supposed for T-Cell retail areas in February.
“The investigation recognized a fencing operation utilizing a recording studio and cellphone restore store, GoalMind Studios in Lantana, as a entrance for promoting the stolen property,” the Palm Seaside County Sheriff’s Workplace stated.
Surveillance footage revealed UPS driver Sheldon Brown handed off packages to supervisor Giffton White, whereas Christopher Palmer was discovered with a stolen iPhone. The suspects created fraudulent monitoring numbers to hide their actions.
“The choose overseeing the suspects’ first look in court docket Wednesday famous the ‘systematic nature’ of the case and known as it a ‘crime in opposition to humanity’ to steal from an employer,” WPTV reported.
All three face felony prices, together with conspiracy to commit racketeering, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.
RELATED CONTENT: Feds, Lies, And Payola: 3 Males Plead Responsible In ‘Soprano-esque’ Fraud & Bribery Scandal Uncovered At Newark Worldwide Airport