Three teenagers, including two employees from a UPS store in Miami Lakes, face criminal charges for allegedly stealing 80 boxes of goods valued at approximately $40,000, as reported by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. The thefts reportedly occurred between March 21 and April 13.
According to NBC Miami, the primary suspect, Angel Caleb Pagan, 18, was apprehended on Wednesday at Barbara Goleman Senior High School in Miami Lakes, where he is a student along with one of his alleged accomplices.
Pagan is charged with second-degree grand theft, involving property valued between $20,000 and $100,000, as well as tampering with physical evidence.
The two other accused, Matthew Martinez and Jacob Diaz, both 17, were still at large at the time of the initial reports.
Details of the Alleged Theft
Pagan and Martinez were employed at the UPS store located at 8555 NW 186th Street in Hialeah and attended the same high school.
The victims, a couple operating an online retail business, sold Bath & Body Works and Victoria's Secret products through Amazon and directly to customers.
The husband told investigators that Pagan and Martinez often handled the packages when he dropped them off at the store, and they allegedly diverted the goods before they could be logged for shipment.
Surveillance Footage and Investigation
Key evidence came from the store's surveillance cameras, which captured Martinez carrying five boxes out the back door while Pagan acted as a lookout.
On April 13, only half of the ten boxes delivered were scanned for shipment, with the rest disappearing through the back exit.
Two days later, at 5:08 p.m. on April 15, Pagan was seen disabling the store's surveillance system, with no recordings available until the owner restored power that evening.
Social Media Sales and Legal Proceedings
Stolen merchandise, identified by its distinctive packaging, was found for sale on social media platforms. Diaz allegedly listed items on Facebook Marketplace for as low as one dollar each, according to Local 10.
Pagan appeared in bond court with his family, and his bail was set at $5,000. His defense attorney, Robert Pelier, claimed Pagan had no prior criminal record, was nearing graduation, and had received excellent job performance reviews during his year of employment, describing the case as "a big misunderstanding."
Company Response and Broader Context
UPS issued a statement highlighting that the store is an independently owned franchise, and the implicated employees were terminated upon discovery of the thefts. "The trust of all The UPS Store customers is of utmost importance, and we take any allegations of theft seriously," a company spokesperson stated, adding that the franchise owner is fully cooperating with authorities.
This incident is part of a pattern of internal thefts within the logistics chain of e-commerce in South Florida, where similar cases involving courier service employees have emerged in recent months.
In May 2025, a Cuban Amazon delivery driver was arrested in Miami-Dade for stealing goods from 13 pallets valued at approximately $45,000. Additionally, in December 2025, another Amazon driver in Miami was detained for stealing packages between November and December of that year, with restitution exceeding $2,200.
Understanding Theft in Logistics Chains
What charges are the teenagers facing?
The teenagers are facing charges of second-degree grand theft and tampering with physical evidence.
How was the theft discovered?
The theft was discovered through surveillance footage that showed the suspects removing boxes from the store without authorization.
What was UPS's response to the incident?
UPS stated that the store is a franchise, and the involved employees were terminated. The company emphasized the importance of customer trust and is cooperating with authorities.