Packages Prove Tempting for UPS Employees Charged With Theft: Prosecutors

UPS employees with no prior criminal background are accused of taking cell phones during work in unrelated incidents, prosecutors said in court.

Christopher Parker was charged with felony theft from the UPS distribution center in Hodgkins on July 7. Prosecutors said Parker was observed taking an Apple watch valued at $600 out of it’s packaging and putting it on his person.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Parker was a senior taking summer school classes. He was released on a $10,000 I-bond.

Prosecutors said that security agents at the Bedford Park UPS distribution center observed Evereste Thomas taking three phones into the restroom and removing their packaging on July 8.

Thomas allegedly admitted to security agents that he had taken the phones. Prosecutors said that Thomas had two more phones in their packaging for a total of five.

Thomas was charged with theft. The public defender said that he was no longer employed at UPS.

On July 6, a man was arrested for impersonating a UPS driver and taking iPhones off a UPS truck at Chicago Ridge Mall.