ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL – A 35-year-old delivery driver is facing serious felony charges after Walmart’s asset protection team used hidden tracking devices to crack a year-long theft mystery.
The Tracking Trap
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (BSO) arrested Jose Angel Ruiz Collazo on June 17 following a sting operation. Walmart investigators had noticed a pattern of missing merchandise dating back to July 2025, specifically tied to deliveries headed to the store on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach.
To catch the suspect, asset protection officials hid tracking devices inside targeted packages scheduled for delivery.
Caught in the Act
According to investigators, Ruiz Collazo arrived at the Walmart around 10:15 a.m., completed part of his delivery, and drove off with high-value items still inside his truck.
Detectives tracked him to a nearby FedEx distribution facility, where they observed him transferring stolen merchandise into his personal vehicle. The stolen haul from that single day was valued at $4,200 and included:
- Two iPhone 17 Pro devices
- Five pairs of AirPods
- Multiple diamond rings
Later that afternoon, deputies stopped Ruiz Collazo in West Palm Beach. A search of his vehicle revealed the missing items stuffed inside a backpack. He was also found wearing a smartwatch that had been reported stolen from a previous shipment.
Massive Financial Losses
Authorities have tied Ruiz Collazo to more than a dozen thefts over the past year, resulting in total losses exceeding $22,000. Following some recoveries, Walmart’s confirmed total loss stands at approximately $18,800.
Upon questioning, Ruiz Collazo admitted to the thefts, stating he either sold the electronics and jewelry or sent them to Cuba.
Current Status
Ruiz Collazo has been booked into the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center. He faces felony charges of multiple thefts within a specified time period and organized fraud, with bond set at $36,000.
A FedEx spokesperson confirmed that the individual is a service provider driver and is “no longer providing service on behalf of FedEx.”
