Man Stole $42K In Packages From Amazon Facility: Police

PHOENIX, AZ — A Phoenix man is facing charges after allegedly taking part in a long-term scheme to steal 12 pallets of Amazon products, according to reports. The products were worth about $42,000 total.

Christopher Smith, 37, was arrested on June 19 on a theft charge. Police say he stole the products from the Amazon sorting center near 7th Avenue and Van Buren Street, ABC15 reports.

Police say an accomplice of Smith's was stealing pallets of Amazon packages from other drivers and taking them to Smith's storage unit near 21st Avenue and Van Buren Street. The process lasted 18 days, police say.

ABC15 reports police as saying a witness provided them with photos of a pallet jack and shipping label at the storage unit, showing the jack belonged to Amazon. Amazon investigators later confirmed that the entire pallet was theirs.

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Police raided Smith's storage unit and found about 500 packages on 12 pallets, ABC15 reported. Some packages were ripped open and products missing.

Article image Maricopa County Sheriff's Office