A UPS driver is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing a luxury Rolex watch from a package and then opening a bait package containing Samsung devices during a law enforcement sting in Miami-Dade County.
According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Dennis Michael Millwood, 55, of Miramar, was detained Thursday after a weeks-long investigation by UPS investigators and the MDSO’s Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Squad.
According to the complaint, UPS inspectors began looking into a string of thefts involving packages that disappeared while in transit via the company’s Hialeah distribution hub at 6001 E. Eighth Ave.
Investigators examined surveillance footage and claimed that Millwood frequently arrived before his regular shift and removed parcels from the “Lakes Box Bottom Slide,” an area containing packages not designated to his delivery route. Investigators stated the products were then loaded into his assigned UPS vehicle.
Authorities stated that items designated to Millwood’s route were typically loaded from a different conveyor system, putting his activities beyond the scope of his work responsibilities.
Rolex reported missing
The inquiry focused in part on a package containing a Rolex watch worth around $55,000.
According to the complaint, surveillance video from June 9 captured Millwood loading the item into his pickup. According to officials, tracking data indicated that the package stayed inside his vehicle.
Millwood later told UPS that the box had been accidentally loaded onto his truck and was moved to another driver in charge of rerouting errant deliveries, according to police.
According to detectives, the package eventually arrived at its intended destination, but when the box was opened, the Rolex watch was discovered to be gone.
UPS inspectors said “RFID” (Radio Frequency Identification) data showed the box was inside Millwood’s truck before it was delivered.
Investigators also said that on Wednesday, Millwood chose four more shipments that were not assigned to his route. One of the shipments was later discovered to have been opened and resealed, officials added.
Sting operation leads to arrest
Investigators carried out a staged operation on Thursday, utilizing two packages containing Samsung cellphones, GPS tracking devices, and a secret security dye pack that would trigger if the packages were opened without authorization, according to the arrest report.
According to the report, detectives viewed live security footage of Millwood loading four parcels from the same conveyor, including the two bait shipments, into his UPS vehicle before starting his delivery route.
Authorities followed Millwood and claimed he stopped near Northeast 132nd Terrace, where he reportedly opened one of the controlled items.
According to investigators, when the package was opened, the security dye pack activated, smearing Millwood’s hands with crimson dye.
An MDSO sergeant observed Millwood feverishly attempting to remove the dye from his hands with a towel, paper towels, and water before completing his route.
Millwood was caught shortly after, while making another delivery near Northeast 127th Street, according to investigators.
A search of the UPS vehicle turned up the unsealed package, which police said had been resealed and placed back on a package rack. The Samsung phones and GPS tracker were found in another area of the truck, according to the report.
Investigators estimated that the two phones were worth around $2,399.
Investigators say driver admitted opening packages
According to the investigation, Millwood initially refused to open or take any packages after being informed of his Miranda rights.
According to investigators, after being shown surveillance video, Millwood admitted to tampering with and opening one of the controlled parcels.
When asked about the lost Rolex, investigators said Millwood initially denied removing the watch. He later allegedly informed officers that he gave it to a friend named “Chris” after storing it for roughly a week, according to the report.
According to the complaint, Millwood declined to name the friend or provide any other information, claiming he didn’t want to get him in jail. Investigators said he also offered to retrieve the watch if he was released.
According to the investigation, when asked why he continually selected goods that were not assigned to his route, Millwood replied that he “does that all the time.”
Millwood was detained and taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
According to court records, he has been charged with second-degree grand theft.
Millwood was still being held at TGK on a $5,000 bond on Friday afternoon.
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