Carl Sykes was arrested Thursday on a charge of grand theft of cargo $50

PENSACOLA, Fla.
AP
April 15, 2025

 A 27-year-old Pensacola man is charged with stealing 171 iPhones while working as a UPS employee.

Carl Sykes was arrested Thursday on a charge of grand theft of cargo $50,000 or more.

According to the arrest report, the thefts happened from January to April of this year.

The report states a security officer for UPS told deputies that over the past 60 days, an employee identified as Sykes had been taking iPhone 16s out of packages.

UPS reportedly discovered that each shipment to T-Mobile that had discrepancy issues was loaded by Sykes.

According to the report, investigators first discovered that 130 phones supposed to be loaded by Sykes did not reach their destinations — a total value nearly $175,000. Investigators later discovered 171 stolen phones in all.

The report states Sykes admitted to stealing the phones and selling them.

Sykes remains in Escambia County Jail on $25,000 bond.