By: Jerome Brookshire

In a case that reads like a blueprint for modern organized crime, prosecutors on Long Island have unveiled a sweeping package-theft scheme that operated undetected for nearly two years, targeting major telecommunications retailers and exploiting the vulnerabilities of contemporary delivery infrastructure. Fourteen individuals have been charged in connection with the sprawling criminal enterprise, which authorities say systematically looted hundreds of packages left on residential porches by FedEx couriers.

According to investigators, the operation was far from the typical “porch pirate” scenario increasingly familiar to suburban residents. Rather than opportunistically grabbing visible boxes, the group allegedly penetrated FedEx’s internal digital systems, gaining access to tracking numbers, detailed delivery information, package contents, and the precise time windows in which couriers were expected to complete their routes. This insider-level visibility allowed the crew to strike with calculated precision—sometimes arriving at delivery addresses within moments of the courier’s departure.

Prosecutors described the breach as a critical component of the scheme’s success. With access to proprietary logistics systems, the group was able not only to identify high-value shipments but to map out the precise locations and behaviors of couriers. Many of the packages targeted contained new phones and tablets from wireless giants Verizon and AT&T—devices with high resale value and immediate market demand.

Authorities believe the suspects “hacked” FedEx’s digital platforms through compromised credentials or illicit access facilitated by an intermediary. Although details of the breach have not yet been fully disclosed, prosecutors indicated that the group obtained far more data than typical online tracking systems make publicly available. This allowed them to anticipate delivery patterns, coordinate pickups, and evade detection over an extended period.

Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that members of the ring communicated in real time, using encrypted messaging apps to alert one another when a courier approached or left a drop location. With this information, the thieves were able to sweep in swiftly—retrieving packages from stoops and mailrooms before homeowners were aware a delivery had even occurred.

In several cases, prosecutors allege that the gang mimicked the appearance of legitimate delivery personnel, donning reflective vests and holding clipboards to reduce suspicion. The combination of technological sophistication and old-fashioned physical deception made the operation unusually difficult to detect, despite its long duration.

Once the packages were collected, the goods were transported to a network of stash houses in the Bronx, from which they were sorted, catalogued, and prepared for sale. Prosecutors say the merchandise—primarily smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices—was sold to wholesalers both within the United States and overseas. Many of the items surfaced within gray-market distribution channels in the Caribbean, South America, and parts of Eastern Europe.

Authorities estimate that the total value of stolen goods reached well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, though the precise figure may climb as investigators continue to trace missing shipments. Telecom companies are cooperating with law-enforcement officials to match stolen devices to serial numbers and customer claims.