ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As online shopping grows, it has become common to see porch pirates steal packages from front doorsteps. But how about a delivery driver?
St. Petersburg Police arrested and charged Dainel Enrique Garcia Zambrano, an Amazon driver, on Tuesday for grand theft and dealing in stolen property.
Investigators say Zambrano took several packages straight from his delivery truck to his apartment.
Instead of dropping off several expensive appliances and electronics on the intended doorsteps, officers say Zambrano brought the items to his apartment in Tampa.
In total, he swiped more than $6,000 in goods over two months, according to St. Petersburg Police arrest reports. Zambrano only worked as an Amazon employee for seven months.
Pamela Wright of Tampa says it's upsetting.
"Every day I order off of Amazon, and I would be furious, absolutely furious if my packages didn't arrive," Wright said.
Kenneth Eady also shops on Amazon and agrees.
"I think that's insane. That's insanely crazy," Eady said.
Investigators say Zambrano kept some items and sold others using his wife's Offer Up account.
Zambrano declined to comment.
"The individual is no longer delivering packages for Amazon. As this is an active investigation, all further questions should be addressed to local law enforcement," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement.
Amazon thefts by delivery drivers in the Tampa Bay area are rare, according to a review of local police reports, but the threat of porch pirates is real.
Two ways to reduce the likelihood of having a package stolen include: Tracking your packages and using Amazon lockers. Amazon lockers are self-service kiosks that provide a place to pick up your package with a unique pickup code.
Customers hope the crime sends a message to company leaders.
"If a company is going to sign on and advertise and supply a service, then they better back it up with the people they hire," Bob Kay of St. Petersburg said.
This story was originally published by Sarah Hollenbeck on WFTS in Tampa, Florida.
