In a brazen daylight theft spree, a DoorDash driver from New York, US, was apprehended by authorities this week. The driver was allegedly using her food delivery gig as a cover to snatch packages from unsuspecting homes in New York neighborhoods.
Juliana Saggaram, 33, was arrested after a vigilant victim in Manhasset reported a stolen package, leading to her capture.
Undercover Dasher
Saggaram’s modus operandi involved strategically camouflaging her thefts amid her DoorDash deliveries.
Twice within 48 hours, she used her job to approach homes, pretending to drop off food orders while discreetly swiping packages. Her last activity was caught on a Ring doorbell camera, revealing her calm demeanor as she fled with stolen goods.
Dressed inconspicuously in a black tank top, a yellow skirt, sunglasses, and AirPods, Saggaram would slyly make her escape, jogging back to her gray SUV parked nearby.
Parcel theft epidemic
Parcel theft has become a significant issue globally due to the rising cost of living.
In the United States, 49 million online shoppers have reported stolen packages, leading to over $2.4 billion in losses in the past year.
Similarly, in Australia, over 4.2 million parcels went missing in the past year, with 12% of Australians experiencing lost packages and 4% having parcels delivered to the wrong address. The total value of stolen or lost items amounted to a staggering $541 million in Australia alone.
To combat this problem, UPS has turned to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms, using predictive analytics to assess addresses, and predict potential delivery issues. The technology helps merchants make informed decisions, enabling them to choose alternative delivery options for addresses with low scores to prevent parcel theft.
Despite technological advancements, simple preventive measures such as reminders, secure delivery locations, neighbors’ assistance, signatures, and cameras remain crucial to safeguarding parcels. Parcel theft incidents tend to increase during festive seasons, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance and proactive precautions.
Keep your Amazon parcels safe
As authorities continue to crack down on porch pirates and delivery-based thefts, residents should remain vigilant, relying on security measures to safeguard their packages. This particular incident serves as a reminder to remain cautious and aware, even in the comfort of their own homes.
Law enforcement managed to arrest Saggaram on charges of petit larceny, issuing an appearance ticket for her court date on October 20.
About the author
Marce has contributed tech to various prominent publications since 2018, offering a transparent perspective into the tech industry and its effects on its users. She now spends her time developing insightful content for industry players. You know, when she's not gaming or geeking out about the latest fad.
