What started as a routine package delivery ended with Joy Rodriguez, 45, in handcuffs, accused of staging her own theft in an attempt to deceive both Amazon and law enforcement.
Authorities say Rodriguez reported a package stolen from her North Ward residence on Friday, February 14, claiming it had vanished after being delivered to the mailroom of her building at 3:05 p.m. But when detectives reviewed surveillance footage, the story quickly unraveled.
Caught on Camera
Instead of a thief swiping the package, footage allegedly shows Rodriguez picking up her own delivery, concealing it, and snapping a photo—as if the package had been taken. Moments later, she was seen returning to her apartment, package in hand.
According to officials, Rodriguez attempted to file a claim with Amazon’s customer service, likely hoping for a refund. But when Amazon required a police report, she escalated the deception—filing a false report with Newark police.
The Consequences of Fraud
Instead of a refund, Rodriguez now faces a list of serious charges, including:
✅ Theft by deception
✅ Forgery
✅ False swearing
✅ Evidence tampering
✅ Filing false reports to law enforcement
She was arrested on February 25, authorities confirmed.
While these charges remain allegations, and Rodriguez is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the case serves as a stark warning—attempting to game the system can come with real legal consequences.
