Several individuals composing a group of five have reportedly been attacking FedEx and UPS vehicles in different areas of New York City. Their modus operandi involves stealing items of significant value from these vehicles. These thefts have continued for an extended period, going largely unpunished, as per police reports.
On a recent Thursday, the NYPD shared visuals of the alleged culprits – one woman and four men. They directed their request to the public in a bid to gather assistance in pinpointing the identities of these individuals who have been accused of a series of package thefts.
The initial event in this series of thefts can be traced back to as early as April 1. The site of this occurrence was within the bustle of Midtown, nearby Rockefeller Center. The most recent theft, according to police, happened on November 5, a few blocks away in the vicinity of Bryant Park.
The strategy of the group involved a couple of the members acting as sentinels while the other accomplices either unlawfully infiltrated the delivery vehicles or forcibly broke into them with the assistance of a tool. Following their breach, they successfully managed to pilfer numerous packages.
A further and rather intriguing aspect of the thefts involves the type of stolen goods. Inside these stolen packages were hundreds of luxury products – high-end brands such as Gucci and coveted technology items like iPhones.
The NYPD disclosed specifics regarding eight distinct incidents, which can be briefly summarized as follows. On April 1 at 55 West 48th St., one individual managed to gain unauthorized access to a UPS vehicle, helping themselves to 84 packages before making a hasty escape.
The next significant event occurred on May 10 at 860 Washington Ave. On this occasion, two individuals managed to abscond with eight boxes containing Gucci products, from a FedEx vehicle. These boxes were estimated to be worth in the region of $29,730.
A theft on June 4 at 32 West 45th St. involved two unidentified persons utilizing a tool for burglary to access a UPS vehicle. Two of their confederates were strategically stationed as lookouts. Inside the stolen packages were items made from precious metals.
Several days later, on June 7 at 551 Madison Ave., another theft took place. A single person gained access to a UPS vehicle this time and stole multiple clear plastic bags containing an astounding 122 packages.
Much later, on October 15 at 30-30 47th Ave., two thieves tampered with a UPS vehicle’s door to gain entry, making away with numerous packages. Another member of the group served the function of a sentinel during the theft.
A few days later, on October 18 at 168 Ludlow St., another UPS vehicle was broken into. The stolen items on this occasion included several modern gadgets: nine iPhones, two Android phones, and an Apple watch, totaling a value of around $9,500.
Succeeding this, on the haunting night of October 31, at 448 5th Ave., another UPS vehicle was forcibly accessed by three individuals. They pilfered a package that contained additional Apple products, amounting to an approximate worth of $13,450.
The last reported theft occurred on November 5 at 512C 5th Ave. During this incident, a lone individual was successful in stealing two packages from a UPS vehicle. The NYPD appeals to anyone with potentially valuable information to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline.