Amazon customers were surprised when they opened their packages. Cops found out why
In a new twist on the growing trend of package thefts from porches during the holiday season, these Orlando Amazon customers got their packages.
But when they went to open their deliveries, there was nothing actually inside the packages.
That’s because, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies say, Elvis Edgardo Soto, 20, a worker at Amazon’s fulfillment center in Orlando was lifting nearly $4,000 in merchandise and gift cards from customers’ orders and then shipping them the empty boxes.
Soto was arrested Tuesday and charged with third-degree grand theft, with a bond of $500. He was released after posting bail.
Soto was caught when an Amazon loss prevention employee got suspicious after running a gift cards report on cards that were redeemed within six hours of issuance. That employee found five suspicious entries, all linked to Soto, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
Other items Soto is accused of pocketing before shipping the empty packages: “several iPhone cases, screen protectors, an Apple Watch band, a bottle opener, eyebrow pomade and a toy pony,” according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Amazon told media outlets Soto is no longer employed. The online retailer says it reimbursed customers who got the empties.
This story was originally published December 14, 2018 at 11:53 AM.
