In what could be the plot of a curious heist movie, FedEx employee Antwone Tate discovered a questionable shortcut to bolster his finances by venturing into a semi-precious side hustle involving some very misplaced mail. Based in Memphis, this erstwhile courier saw opportunity in the parcels he was entrusted with, seduced, perhaps, by the twinkling allure of an $8,500 diamond ring and the hefty gleam of nearly $14,000 worth of gold bars. But if his exploits seem like an Adventures in Parcel Pilfering novel, the ending fell short of expectations due to one gaping plot hole: a complete disregard for the basic principles of stealth and disguise.
The escapade began unraveling when FedEx’s Loss Prevention team at the Memphis Hub noticed an uptick in missing packages around May 27. With a fine-toothed comb, they investigated, likely noticing delivery records that rang certain alarm bells. And no, the bells weren’t gold-plated, nor did they chime with the sparkle of missing jewels. The investigation trailed off to a local pawn shop where, unsurprisingly, the very same ring and gold bars made a stunning reappearance—angels loudly singing “Hallelujah” likely optional. The real kicker? The cozy transaction was secured in Tate’s name, having optimistically presented his own driver’s license.
This revelation should have ended the package pandemonium like a curtain call, but Tate’s tale had plot twists leftover. Enter a third parcel, this time holding a historic collection of baseball memorabilia. The haul included iconic cardboard masterpieces, specifically a 1915 Cracker Jack Chief Bender and a 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Ty Cobb, collectively valued at around $6,800—tokens of nostalgia that might cause any baseball enthusiast to clutch their collector’s cap.
Naturally, detectives turned to the internet, where even bears with picnic baskets know they need to prove it’s their rightful basket. And on eBay, there it was listed under the seller name ‘antta_57,’ which investigators connected directly back to Tate as nonchalantly as if inscribing “I stole this” on every item. It’s the kind of call sign even a novice sleuth couldn’t overlook.
Antwone Tate now finds himself on the other side of prosperity and the wrong side of the law, thrust firmly towards just desserts, or consequences, or whatever unfed morals demanded. He’s been charged with theft of property for his rollicking triple larceny spree. It’s safe to say that his burgeoning career in package interception has hit a dead end.
FedEx, undoubtedly disillusioned by this newfound “delivery method,” released a statement as clear as their global mission: Tate is “no longer with the company,” and they’ve underscored for the record that pilfering, despite common insinuation, is not listed in job duties. They have effectively ensured that any packages Tate ferried in the future are best left to the professionals.
This escapade, though it brought drama and perhaps a smirk to the public consciousness, ultimately serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity in one’s profession, as well as a nod to the digital age truth that nothing, absolutely nothing, escapes the omnipotent radar of the internet or the keen eyes of law enforcement.
What began foolhardily as an attempt to exploit the courier system ended predictably with a much-publicized digital footprint and FedEx’s reputation intact—minus a few temporarily vanished packages. It’s a salutary tale for anyone tempted by the lavish luster of the gold-and-diamonds-charade: honesty remains the best policy, unless you’re seeking an all-expenses-paid trip courtesy of local law enforcement. So, if your package status stands stubborn like the line at the DMV in “out for delivery” limbo, perhaps consider browsing eBay—but steadfastly guard against bidding on anything crowning the name ‘antta_57’ or even a haphazardly rebranded ‘antta_58.’