SAN BENITO, Texas (KFOX14) — A 37-year-old employee of the UPS Brownsville Distribution Center has been arrested after authorities accused him of stealing more than $200,000 worth of luxury goods and high-end electronics from his employer.
Investigation and Arrest
The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of Armando Garcia, a five-year UPS employee, who was taken into custody at his San Benito home on Monday. The arrest followed an investigation into missing high-value parcels at the distribution center.
According to a release, the investigation began after UPS Security alerted local authorities to the disappearance of several high-value shipments. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted in executing a search warrant at Garcia’s residence, where a vast amount of stolen merchandise was recovered.
Stolen Merchandise
The authorities seized a wide array of luxury designer items and electronics, including:
Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Ferragamo, and Dior handbags, wallets, and accessories
Apple iPhones, iPads, and various smartwatches
High-end jewelry, designer clothing, and power tools
Electronic accessories, along with numerous UPS shipping bags containing discarded parcel boxes and their original shipping labels
The stolen goods had a combined value of over $200,000. Investigators believe Garcia had been pilfering these high-value items over a significant period of time, targeting both luxury fashion and electronics.
Charges and Impact
Garcia, who had been employed with UPS for five years, has been charged with theft. He was taken into custody without incident during the search. Authorities expressed concern over the harm that such thefts cause to businesses and consumers alike.
Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz condemned the crime, stating that it not only hurts businesses but also erodes consumer confidence in the shipping and retail industry. “This was a deliberate and organized effort to steal high-value merchandise meant for paying customers,” Saenz said in the release.
Commitment to Justice
Saenz praised the work of the District Attorney’s Special Investigations Unit for their thorough investigation. He emphasized that, despite the United States Attorney’s Office and a local police agency declining the case, the Special Investigations Unit remained committed to justice.
“We will not tolerate theft at any level,” Saenz said, underscoring the county’s dedication to holding those responsible for financial crimes accountable.
Conclusion
The arrest of Armando Garcia serves as a reminder of the risks posed by employee theft in large organizations, especially when it involves high-value merchandise. Authorities continue to investigate and track down individuals involved in organized theft networks, with the goal of protecting both businesses and consumers from such crimes.
