Florida Man Arrested After Walmart Uses Tracking Devices to Solve Year-Long Theft Mystery, Deputies Say
A Florida delivery driver is facing felony charges after investigators say Walmart used tracking devices to solve a months-long mystery involving missing shipments.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office says Jose Angel Ruiz Collazo, 35, was arrested on June 17 after an investigation into merchandise that disappeared from deliveries headed to a Walmart on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach.
According to CBS12, Walmart’s asset protection team first noticed a pattern of missing items beginning in July 2025. Investigators said the losses appeared tied to deliveries handled by Ruiz Collazo.
Authorities say the thefts temporarily stopped when Ruiz Collazo was removed from the route, then started again when he returned. That pattern eventually led Walmart and law enforcement to set up a tracked delivery.
Walmart Reportedly Hid Tracking Devices Inside Packages
On June 17, investigators say Walmart placed tracking devices inside selected packages that were scheduled to be delivered to the store.
Ruiz Collazo arrived at the Royal Palm Beach Walmart around 10:15 a.m. and completed part of the delivery, according to investigators. Deputies say he then left with items still inside the delivery truck.
Detectives followed Ruiz Collazo as he continued his route. Investigators say he later stopped at a FedEx distribution facility, where he removed merchandise from the shipment and placed it into his personal vehicle before returning to Walmart with the remaining packages.
According to CBS12, the missing items from that delivery were worth about $4,200 and included two iPhone 17 Pro devices, five pairs of AirPods, and multiple diamond rings.
Deputies Say the Missing Items Were Found in a Backpack
Later that afternoon, detectives stopped Ruiz Collazo as he left the facility in his personal vehicle near 7th Place North in West Palm Beach.
Investigators said a search of the vehicle uncovered the missing merchandise inside a backpack. Authorities also reported that Ruiz Collazo was wearing a smartwatch previously reported stolen from another shipment.
After being advised of his rights, Ruiz Collazo admitted to stealing the items from the June 17 delivery and to committing similar thefts since July 2025, according to investigators.
Authorities say he told deputies that customers who did not receive their purchases were instructed to file claims. He also allegedly said he either sold the stolen merchandise or sent it to Cuba.
Investigators Say the Losses Added Up Over Nearly a Year
Investigators tied Ruiz Collazo to more than a dozen thefts over the past year, according to CBS12. The total losses exceeded $22,000 before recovered merchandise was accounted for.
After recoveries, Walmart’s confirmed loss was estimated at about $18,800.
Palm Beach County jail records show Ruiz Collazo was booked into the Main Detention Center on June 17. He faces felony charges of multiple thefts within a specified time period and organized fraud.
Jail records show bond was set at $18,000 on each charge, for a total bond of $36,000. As of the most recent jail records available, he remained in custody.
FedEx Says He Is No Longer Providing Service
FedEx told CBS12 that it was aware of the arrest of a service provider driver by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
“We are aware of the arrest of a service provider driver by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and this individual is no longer providing service on behalf of FedEx. Further questions should be directed to law enforcement.”
The case remains ongoing. The charges are allegations, and Ruiz Collazo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.