(PHOTO CREDIT: BRENDAN MCDERMID/REUTERS)

FBI Moves In On Amazon

“Porch pirates” are already well-known for snatching Amazon packages off unsuspecting online shoppers’ doorsteps. But the FBI has discovered that Amazon drivers are stealing packages, too. They just uncovered a major theft ring involving delivery drivers.

The ring, located in Washington state, has been operating since 2013 and has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars in property, Fox News reported.

“According to a search warrant affidavit unsealed in U.S. District Court in Seattle and reviewed by The Associated Press, two storefront businesses posing as pawnshops bought the goods from shoplifters, then had the items shipped to Amazon warehouses, where they were stored until sold online,” Fox News reported. “No charges have yet been filed, though investigators have raided the pawnshops and the home of the man identified as the ringleader, Aleksandr Pavlovskiy, 44, of Auburn. A man who answered the door at one of the shops Wednesday identified himself as Alex and told The Associated Press his business was legitimate, that he kept good records and he should not be in any trouble.”

Police staked out the pawnshop and saw the delivery drivers paying cash to drug users and shoplifters for brand-new items from Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other stores.

“According to a database of pawnshop transactions reviewed by Auburn police, the suspect pawn shops paid more than $4.1 million to sellers who brought them nearly 48,000 items in the past six years. The items included allergy medication, razors, electric toothbrushes and tools in their original packaging,” Fox News reported.