UPS driver arrested in package thefts after empty box deliveries in Horizon City
Suspicions had been growing since February in the El Paso suburb when several residents started reporting empty UPS packages delivered to their homes, Horizon City Police Department officials said.
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The UPS driver, Jason M. Zubia, 44, and an alleged accomplice, Monica Almanza, 46, both of El Paso, were arrested on felony charges of theft over $30,000 after stolen items were recovered at home in El Paso by Horizon City police detectives in an investigation assisted by the UPS security team, police officials said.
The total number of packages that were stolen was being counted as an investigation continues.
Detectives suspect there could be additional victims in Horizon City and the surrounding area who received empty packages or never received a package but did not file a police report.
Horizon City residents who may have been victims of the UPS package thefts may contact Horizon City police Sgt. L. Rodriguez at 915-852-1047.
Zubia and Almanza were each arrested on charges of theft over $30,000, possession of a controlled substance and possession of more than four ounces of marijuana. No attorney was listed for them on court records.
El Paso County Jail records show that Zubia was booked into jail on Tuesday, March 25, and released the next day on a total surety bond of $100,000. Almanza was booked and released on a $35,000 total surety bond on Wednesday via Fast Track Booking, a program that allows for a quick release if a person surrenders and has bail arrangements prepared.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division identified Zubia as "the main suspect responsible for the thefts." The investigation looked into numerous complaints to Horizon City police about the delivery of empty packages, along with complaints about packages never delivered at all, a police news release stated.
During the investigation, detectives served a search warrant at a home in the 3000 block of Gaston Drive in the Pebble Hills area of East El Paso, police said.
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Detectives found stolen delivery boxes with Horizon City addresses that were still sealed, as well as opened and discarded boxes with Horizon City addresses and drugs, officials said.
Horizon City Police Chief Marco Vargas praised the diligent work of investigators and thanked the local UPS security team for its assistance.
'We are dedicated to providing high-quality police work to ensure our residents are not victimized by criminal activity," Vargas said in a statement. "This case highlights our officers' commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting our community."
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UPS driver arrested in package thefts after empty box deliveries
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