TROY, Mich. – A man posed as an Amazon worker to steal packages in Troy and multiple other Metro Detroit locations, according to police.
Troy police learned about the package thefts in September 2024 that targeted iPhones delivered to residential addresses. One of the suspects was identified as a man wearing an Amazon vest and driving a silver Dodge Caravan with a paper plate in the rear window.
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Yohangel Martin Polanco Melo, 23, was seen on surveillance going up to numerous homes shortly after a package would arrive wearing an Amazon vest, a bucket-style hat and a surgical mask. He allegedly would take the iPhone box and leave the empty, unlabeled box at the residence before returning to his car.
On Oct. 15, 2024, police saw Polanco Melo in the area and pulled him over. Polanco Melo was arrested wearing the same Amazon vest, bucket-style hat and surgical mask seen in the numerous surveillance videos and images. Police also found several iPhones and empty boxes in his car.
Police officers later spoke with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and learned Polanco-Melo entered the United States illegally and has no residency status.
Polanco Melo was arraigned at the 52-4 District Court on Oct. 17. He was charged with two counts of Larceny—$1,000-$20,000 and three counts of Larceny—$200-$1,000. His bond was set at $50,000.
