Porch‑Piracy Ring Allegedly Hacked FedEx Tracking to Steal Hundreds of Phones

New York prosecutors say they dismantled a sophisticated porch‑piracy ring that allegedly used hacked shipping and tracking information to identify and steal high‑value packages the moment they were delivered.

"The conspirators seemed to be waiting for the packages," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told reporters, urging holiday shoppers to monitor deliveries and bring packages indoors promptly.

The investigation, which ran from October 2023 through February 2025, resulted in a sweeping indictment. Prosecutors allege the group targeted devices tied to Verizon and AT&T shipments, monitored delivery information and then intercepted packages in suburban neighborhoods across Long Island and beyond.

Notable incidents

Surveillance footage in at least one case shows suspects rushing a delivery driver carrying a crate with 15 Samsung tablets, then jumping into a waiting getaway car. In other incidents, thieves allegedly followed homeowners inside after deliveries were retrieved, or took packages within minutes of drivers making drops.

How the operation worked

Authorities say the ring used insider or illegally obtained tracking data to home in on packages containing smartphones and other electronics. They are also accused of having packages shipped to fictitious recipients at other addresses so the items could be intercepted. Exactly how the tracking information was accessed remains under investigation.

Alleged network and seizures

Prosecutors identified 29‑year‑old Bronx resident Andricson Jerez as the alleged ringleader. He and 13 alleged accomplices face a total of 50 felony counts. Law enforcement says the operation included roughly six "runners" who traveled to suburban addresses to steal packages, a group of lieutenants who transported stolen goods to a Bronx stash house, and additional intermediaries who sold items at a Manhattan storefront and to wholesale buyers.

Officials executing a search warrant at the Bronx location recovered about 200 new phones and more than $100,000 worth of other merchandise. Investigators say some stolen goods were sold from a storefront on Broadway in Manhattan and others moved in bulk to wholesalers in the U.S. and abroad.

Legal status and recommendations

Jerez was released on $75,000 bond and faces related charges in New Jersey; several defendants face federal counts. One suspect who was arrested in New Jersey was later placed in immigration custody and accepted voluntary departure. Some defendants were released on supervised release and required to surrender passports; others were freed without bail because of New York law constraints.

Security experts recommend precautions for shoppers: install home security cameras, schedule deliveries for times when someone will be home, use secure pickup locations or a workplace delivery, sign up for delivery alerts, and coordinate with neighbors to retrieve packages quickly.

According to an annual theft report from Security.org, approximately one in four Americans report experiencing porch piracy, with more than $8 billion in merchandise stolen nationwide in the past year.