Alleged iPhone Scammers Busted By New Canaan Police

NEW CANAAN, CT — A pair of suspects were arrested on May 20 after they allegedly placed fake iPhone orders to New Canaan homes and then intercepted the phones once they were delivered, according to police.

The incident started at about 11:30 a.m. when police were called to a home on Douglas Road after two men - John Delacruz, 20, of Easton, PA, and Neftali Fernandez Jimenez, 27, of New York City - were seen approaching the home a half-dozen times in 20 minute period, supposedly to pick up a package.

"Both Delacruz and Jimenez claimed that the package was being shipped to that residence incorrectly and they were simply attempting to claim what was later determined to be an iPhone," wrote police in a statement. "A subsequent investigation determined that inside of the vehicle that both Delacruz and Jimenez were driving in had up to 6 new iPhones, multiple wire transfer receipts and numerous addresses for homes in New Canaan on a navigation app from Delacruz's phone."

Police said the two were allegedly intercepting the fraudulent packages "before the unknowing homeowner [discovered it]."

The two were taken into custody, but released after each posted a $5,000 bond. They are scheduled to appear in Norwalk Superior Court on June 2.

Photo: John Delacruz, left, and Neftali Fernandez Jimenez. Photo credit: New Canaan Police Department