Prosecutors in New York have announced the dismantling of a criminal organization involved in stealing FedEx packages. The group, described as a "sophisticated 'porch pirate' operation," allegedly targeted electronic devices over a two-year period. Fourteen individuals have been indicted on various charges, including enterprise corruption, according to the Suffolk County Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation revealed that the organization was responsible for 48 thefts of FedEx packages containing electronics and cellphones from October 2023 to February 2025. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney stated that the group used insider information to hack into the delivery system. They set up cellphone deliveries under fake names and used random residences as drop-off points without the homeowners' knowledge.

The alleged thieves included a network of "runners" who retrieved the packages, while others were involved in the wholesale redistribution of the stolen items. In one incident, a defendant reportedly forcibly took a package from an elderly woman whose home was used for the delivery.

In total, 50 felony charges have been filed against the defendants, which include enterprise corruption, grand larceny, identity theft, robbery, and conspiracy. Tierney emphasized the impact of the theft ring, stating, "For two years, this alleged porch pirate ring plagued our community and built a criminal enterprise on the backs of Suffolk families and businesses."

One of the defendants is accused of operating the criminal enterprise from two locations in the Bronx. This individual allegedly provided runners with insider FedEx tracking information, including recipient names, addresses, and tracking numbers from shipments destined for Suffolk County.

Prosecutors have released surveillance footage showing incidents where suspects intercepted FedEx delivery drivers and took packages shortly after they were delivered. The stolen items were reportedly sold to wholesalers for redistribution both domestically and internationally.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement recovered an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) scanner and a bill counter from one defendant's residence. The IMEI scanner is typically used for inventory by businesses but can also facilitate identity theft if misused. In a stash house in the Bronx, authorities found over 200 new cellphones, other electronic devices, and more than $100,000 in cash.

FedEx has stated that it fully cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation and will continue to work with authorities to combat misuse of customer information. The company noted, "With bad actors growing increasingly sophisticated, the shipping industry has been proactively working with law enforcement to address the rise of porch piracy. We constantly adapt our processes and use innovative technologies to protect drivers and packages."