A group of skilled thieves allegedly used insider information to track FedEx deliveries and steal hundreds of high-value packages from Long Island residents over nearly two years, prosecutors announced Monday.
Fourteen individuals are facing charges in the scheme, which reportedly targeted cellphone deliveries from October 2023 through February 2025. According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the suspects accessed detailed delivery data—including tracking numbers, recipient names, package contents, and schedules—to swoop in and steal electronics from front porches moments after packages were dropped off.
Most of the stolen shipments came from Verizon and AT&T and were delivered via FedEx. Prosecutors suspect the thieves may have digitally infiltrated the companies’ delivery systems to obtain the sensitive information.
“We believe that information was hacked,” said Suffolk County DA Patrick Tierney.
The stolen goods were then transported to stash houses in the Bronx, where they were cataloged and sold to wholesalers both in the U.S. and abroad.
“For two years, this alleged porch pirate ring plagued our community and built a criminal enterprise on the backs of Suffolk families and businesses,” Tierney said. “These indictments demonstrate that we will track down and hold accountable those who commit crimes against Suffolk County residents, regardless of how extensive their operation.”
Authorities say the ring was led by 29-year-old Andricson Jerez, who allegedly coordinated thefts using encrypted messaging apps. His father, 48-year-old Juan Baez, is also accused of participating by helping deliver stolen merchandise to buyers.
Prosecutors have not identified who may have conducted the possible hacking that provided the group with sensitive delivery data but described the act as requiring “a certain level of sophistication.”
The operation reportedly spanned more than 30 Long Island towns and, at times, became violent. In one alleged incident, FedEx driver was shoved by 26-year-old Luger Guerrero and accomplices, who then stole a package containing 15 tablets. In another, 22-year-old Felipe Batista allegedly ripped a package from a homeowner. Leonel Tejeda Reynoso, 32, is accused of using a fake ID to pick up a tablet worth over $1,000 from a Melville FedEx center.
The 14 defendants face a total of 50 charges, including robbery, enterprise corruption, conspiracy, and larceny. Jerez, the alleged ringleader, could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.