The release of the iPhone 16 has many Apple users around the country awaiting expensive deliveries, but the experience of Needham resident Kevin Reulbach suggests package thefts may prevent them from landing in the right hands.
On Sept. 17, Reulbach, who lives on Longfellow Road, was expecting his new iPhone to arrive. Before he was able to retrieve it, his doorbell camera captured its delivery and subsequent snatching. With that information as well as accounts from neighbors, Reulbach was able to piece together a series of events over a two-hour period beginning with an individual riding past the house on a moped at 11:36 that morning.
“[He] spent some time staring at the house,” Reulbach said. “The driver appeared to be a food or other type of delivery driver.”
Neighbors reported seeing the same individual drive by again about half an hour later. FedEx delivered the package at 1:10 p.m., and the moped rider snatched it less than 10 minutes after that.
“With the new iPhones set to release and begin shipping this week,” Reulbach said, “this could serve as a valuable warning for those who have pre-ordered or are planning to order a new iPhone.”
Reulbach ordered the phone through AT&T Saturday afternoon, and it was delivered by FedEx Tuesday. “The only instances [police] know of include both AT&T and FedEx,” he said. He was told this has been happening all over the country. “Somehow they know the tracking number, which tells them what’s in the package, the delivery date, the delivery time.”
After police left his home Tuesday afternoon, Reulbach contacted AT&T, which marked the phone stolen in transit and has already shipped him a new one. He then called the delivery service — not FedEx this time — to request a required signature for delivery. He said he will make sure to be home this time, though.
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