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NJ Package Thief Told Cops He Specialized In Packages Delivered To Wrong Address: Authorities

A 31-year-old Irvington mas was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Oct. 8 with concocting a scheme to steal almost $2,500 in packages from a home in Hasbrouck Heights, authorities said.

Ryan D. Rawls

Ryan D. Rawls

Photo Credit: Hasbrouck Heights PD

Officers were called to a home on the 400 block of Burton Avenue on a report of a man attempting to intercept packages, Hasbrouck Heights police said. Ryan Rawls told officers he worked for a company that was a Verizon authorized dealer and worked in a division specializing in packages that had been delivered to the wrong address, police said.

Police said his story was "well-rehearsed" and possessed an ID saying he worked for a company affiliated with Verizon and was in possession of a work-issued tablet, officers said.

Rawls' story had conflicting information that didn't add up and was unable to provide information about his supervisor or his work order number, police said. Upon further investigation it was determined that prior to approaching the residence, the individual had stopped the UPS driver inquiring about the package delivery looking to intercept only to be told it had already been delivered, police said.

Rawls was also found to be in possession of a photocopied fraudulent New Jersey driver's license with the name of the Burton Avenue resident where the package was delivered, but with his photo that would have been presented to the UPS driver, police said. 

The package contained an Apple iPhone and Apple Watches, valued at $2,484.33, police said.

Rawls was charged with criminal attempt to commit package theft, hindering apprehension, criminal trespass, possession of fraudulent government documents and identity theft.

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