Urgent national warning for iPhone theft; FedEx deliveries are targeted by criminal groups

NEW YORK– Police warn of a nationwide, sometimes violent crime wave involving organized crime groups stealing FedEx deliveries from New AT&T iPhones.

“Criminal actors obtain cell phone tracking information and delivery location information prior to deliveries, providing competing organized theft groups the opportunity to intercept deliveries and steal cell phones from delivery drivers or consumers,” according to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by ABC News . “Violent encounters with criminal actors are escalating as subjects use different tactics, techniques and procedures to obtain the devices.”

To evade police, the thieves pose as delivery drivers “using DoorDash bags and wearing Amazon or construction vests,” the bulletin said. Sometimes packages are wiped out seconds after they are delivered.

At least 77 of these incidents have occurred in northern Virginia alone. The NYPD is engaged in at least 55 similar thefts, and these types of crimes have been reported in several other states.

Investigators are trying to determine how the criminals know which homes to attack and when.

“We are working with law enforcement agencies and parcel carriers to protect our deliveries from these sophisticated criminals,” says AT&T said in a statement. FedEx said, “We have implemented stringent safety and security programs and regularly remind our team members of the importance of both personal and package safety.”