OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Eight men were arrested on Thursday in Oklahoma City and Edmond, accused of stealing newly delivered iPhones off porches. The suspects are part of a national crime ring responsible for millions of dollars in stolen electronics, including almost $7 million worth of iPhones.
Edmond Police set up a sting operation to capture two suspects, Danny Alberto-Herrera and Jomar Maria-Lopez, who are believed to be connected to the ring. The operation began when Edmond detectives identified scheduled deliveries for October 10 and monitored homes for potential thefts. When one of the suspect vehicles arrived to steal a package, officers pursued the suspects. One was captured immediately, while the second was found hiding hours later in a backyard.
In Oklahoma City, six other men were arrested on similar charges, including porch piracy larceny, conspiracy, and engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses. Five of these suspects are from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while one is from Townton, Massachusetts. The arrested individuals include Angel Bautista Ferreiras, Joshua Cabreja, Jonathan Catala, Stiveng Cuevas, Carlos Martinez Suarez, and Eric Mercedes.
The Edmond Police Department reports that the thieves targeted high-value electronics, particularly iPhones, which had been delivered by FedEx. The thefts, which have occurred in multiple states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, are believed to be part of a nationwide theft ring. Authorities are still investigating how the suspects were able to track deliveries, as it remains unclear how they knew when and where the packages would arrive.
To protect against such thefts, FedEx recommends requesting a Hold at Location, requiring a signature upon delivery, or redirecting packages to a FedEx office. FedEx’s Delivery Manager app also offers more control over the timing and location of deliveries.
