Detectives Recover Stolen Packages From Accused Porch Pirates

BRANDON, FL — Some Hillsborough County residents will receive the holiday gifts they hoped for after all.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has recovered a number of packages stolen from front porches last weekend and arrested two men they say are responsible for the thefts.

Detectives began investigating Emmanuel Camacho Contreras, 29, and Carlos Spindola-Abreau, 26, after discovering they were fraudulently renting an apartment in the Brandon area. After observing the two men, detectives took them into Wednesday, Dec. 19 as they were leaving the apartment.

During the arrest, they discovered that one of the men had fraudulently printed checks in his possession. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the apartment and vehicle, and discovered several boxes with shipping labels and items inside that had been stolen from various locations throughout Hillsborough County.

Detectives also found two televisions that were stolen after being delivered to an address in Tampa, furniture and electronics that were fraudulently rented from Rent King (the total amount of the items rents $10,000) and number of new items still in their boxes that were likely holiday gifts ordered from Amazon, including clothing and electronics.

Detectives also confiscated a computer, printing equipment and check-printing paper used for identity theft.

Camacho Contreras and Spindola-Abreu were charged with several counts of burglary and grand theft. Spindola-Abreu also had several outstanding warrants for burglary and grand theft.