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A Cuban working as a delivery driver for Amazon was arrested in Miami-Dade, accused of stealing packages intended for customers, in a case that once again puts employees of the company's contractors in South Florida under scrutiny.
Andy Manuel García Machado, 29 years old and residing in the southwest of the county, was arrested on Monday at the Amazon warehouse located at 13320 SW 132nd Ave., near Miami Executive Airport, according to a report by the channel Local 10.
According to the arrest report cited by that outlet, a loss prevention employee alerted authorities after noticing that, since her hiring on November 19, multiple high-value items had been reported missing by the delivery person. The total amount amounts to $1,757.
Among the allegedly stolen items are a PlayStation console, a solar panel, a Bluetooth speaker, a watch, an air purifier, and even a Snickers chocolate bar.
According to the version reported by Local 10, when confronted by the employee, García Machado admitted to intentionally marking the items as lost or delivered and keeping them instead of delivering them to their intended recipients. He later allegedly confessed to a sheriff that he took them home to sell privately and make money.
On Tuesday morning, he remained confined at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bond set at $2,500. Additionally, authorities confirmed that there is a pending immigration hold against him, a factor that could further complicate his legal situation.
In a statement cited by Local 10, a spokesperson for Amazon stated that the theft is “unacceptable” and that the company maintains a zero-tolerance policy. They also clarified that the arrested individual was not a direct employee of the company, but rather of a delivery service partner.
The case adds to other recent incidents involving Cuban delivery drivers linked to Amazon contractors in Miami-Dade. Last May, 32-year-old Adrián Barrera was arrested after being accused of appropriating goods valued at around $45,000 and discarding the packaging in a Lowe’s parking lot. In that case, he also faced charges related to possession of methamphetamine.
In December, Diego Alejandro Santana Caner, 25 years old, was arrested in Sweetwater for allegedly stealing around 20 packages, including electronic devices, and selling some of the products. Authorities also reported that he faced an alleged violation of probation from a previous case.
Investigations in the García Machado case are ongoing while he remains in custody, awaiting to face the corresponding judicial process.
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