A delivery driver has been arrested on a warrant charging him with stealing Amazon packages to sell on Facebook Marketplace in an effort to cover his rent.
An officer with the Groveland Police Department responded to the Amazon Delivery Station, located at 19961 Independence Blvd., Groveland, on the afternoon of May 6, according to an affidavit of probable cause out of Lake County. Dispatch advised that a 23-year-old delivery driver, Wellinton De Jesus Francisco Collado, had stolen $3,011.37 from the company.
The delivery station is a 330,000-square-foot building that serves as a distribution warehouse for Amazon. According to Amazon News, these stations are the last stop before drivers deliver packages to customers.
However, Francisco Collado had taken packages from his deliveries on his assigned route from April 12 to 18 and labeled them as lost. He then put the packages in his backpack, took them home and sold them on Facebook Marketplace. In a written statement, he admitted to stealing the packages to sell online to help pay for his rent, the affidavit said.
Francisco Collado wrote that he asked for forgiveness, and he did not think about the consequences. He stated he was “honest” and described taking two smart glasses, one Meta and the other Pro; a Microsoft Surface laptop; playing cards; makeup; a smart watch; and a T-shirt. He was no longer on the property and would not be returning after being fired, the affidavit said.
An employee provided law enforcement with screenshots of Francisco Collado’s personal Facebook page. Three items were listed for sale and marked as sold, including $280 RayBan Meta glasses, a $550 Microsoft Surface Gen7 laptop and $180 Sony headphones. All three of these items belonged to Amazon, the affidavit said.
Francisco Collado was ultimately arrested on a warrant in Orange County. He was transferred this past week to the Lake County Jail to face charges of grand theft, scheme to defraud and dealing in stolen property. The native of the Dominican Republic was released after posting $10,000 bond.