Thieves Impersonate Amazon Drivers to Case Homes for Burglaries
Suspects used delivery driver disguises to scout residences before returning to rob them, according to authorities.
In a concerning trend, thieves have been caught on camera employing a deceptive tactic: posing as Amazon delivery drivers to scout homes before returning to burglarize them.
One such incident occurred in Milpitas, California, where doorbell camera footage captured a man dressed as an Amazon delivery driver approaching a residence with a package. After knocking and receiving no answer, the individual left. Approximately 30 minutes later, a Chevrolet Cruze with two other individuals inside was seen stopping near the house.
According to the homeowner, Donna Kato, the suspects gained access to the backyard through a side gate and broke a sliding glass door to enter the home. Shortly after their entry, Kato's surveillance cameras went offline and her alarm system was disabled. "It's upsetting beyond words. It's very emotional," Kato told KTVU, expressing her distress over the incident, which occurred while she was not home. "This impostor Amazon person was banging at my door, trying to determine if anyone was home."
The primary target of the burglary was an unbolted safe containing valuable heirlooms, including Kato's late mother's diamond, emerald, and gold necklace and wedding ring. The thieves also stole a watch and important documents. The total estimated value of the stolen items is around $70,000, though Kato emphasized the irreplaceable nature of her mother's jewelry.
Surveillance footage showed the suspects reversing their vehicle onto the home's driveway and attempting to drag the safe toward the car. A license plate reader recorded the vehicle entering Milpitas two hours before the burglary and leaving the city minutes after it concluded, according to a police report.
Milpitas police are actively investigating the case. A private investigator hired by Kato suggested that other residents may have also fallen victim to similar schemes. "It happens all over the state. Organized crews are really good at identifying homes that doesn’t look like anyone is there and they kind of know the windows of time to strike," investigator Marc Hinch told ABC7.
Amazon has stated that delivery drivers do not typically knock on doors unless a customer has made prior arrangements. "Unfortunately, there are bad actors who wear lookalike apparel to commit crime," the company said in a statement. "We encourage anyone who’s been victim of a crime to report to the police."
