Man busted after posing as Amazon driver to steal iPhones delivered to Metro Detroit homes: cops

TROY (WWJ) -- A man who posed as an Amazon delivery driver and allegedly stole multiple iPhones from porches in Metro Detroit has been arrested.

Investigators say 23-year-old Yohangel Martin Polanco Melo was taken into custody in Troy last week, and charged with five counts of larceny.

According to Troy Police, the suspect he would wear an Amazon vest, bucket-style hat and surgical mask and go up to a home where a new iPhone had been dropped off. On each occasion Polanco Melo would take the iPhone and leave a small, unlabeled empty package in its place, police said.

Seen on surveillance video, police said the thief would often conceal the phone under his vest while walking back to his vehicle: a silver Dodge Caravan with a paper plate in the rear window.

Troy Community Services Sergeant Ben Hancock told WWJ Newsradio 950's Mike Campbell that officers working an unrelated case spotted a matching minivan on Oct. 15, and made a traffic stop.

Inside the van, Hancock said officers found several stolen iPhones, along with empty boxes, a vest and a mask.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office said Polanco Melo is in the U.S. illegally, and has no residency status.

But how did the suspect know which homes to target?

"Well, that part of the investigation is still ongoing; trying to figure out exactly how he was being notified, or finding out where exactly these iPhones were being delivered," Hancock said.

Polanco Melo was arranged in 52-4 District Court on Oct. 17 on two counts of Larceny, $1,000-$20,000, and three counts of Larceny, $200-$1,000. His bond was set at $50,000, no 10%.

With this case in mind, the Troy PD is strongly encouraging everyone who orders a cell phone to arrange for a signature to be required upon deicers, or pick up your phone from a local retailer.

"This was outstanding work by our officers, but frankly, the crime trend continues all around our region," police said in a news release.

As far as how many phones this suspect allegedly stole, Hancock said they're still working to determine the total number, as the investigation continues.