ALLIANCE, Ohio — Alliance police have arrested a man who allegedly disguised himself as an Amazon delivery driver and robbed an older couple at gunpoint, according to the department.
According to police, 60-year-old Steven Dackiewicz dressed up as an Amazon driver to get into a home in the 2300 block of South Linden Avenue on Dec. 7, 2024.
One of the victims, who did not want to be identified because of safety concerns, said the stranger was wearing several items of Amazon clothing when he knocked on the front door.
"My wife answered the door and the guy was in a complete Prime outfit, mask, gloves, everything. He showed her a box that had my name on it," he said.
The victim said the stranger asked if he could come inside because it was cold out. The couple had no reason to be suspicious, so they let him in and even gave him a beer.
He said, 'Well, this is my last stop of the day. I'll drink one.' He sucked it down."
After he entered the home, Dackiewicz showed a pistol and demanded cash from the victims before fleeing the area, according to police.
The victim said the gun was pointed to his stomach.
"It wasn't scary until he stuck that thing in my stomach," he said.
The man then took off with a large amount of cash, police said.
Police were able to identify Dackiewicz based on DNA left at the scene. According to jail and court records, that DNA was found on the beer bottle.
"The beer bottle did it," the victim said.
Police said Dackiewicz does not work for Amazon.
He has been charged with aggravated robbery. He was arraigned in Alliance Municipal Court on Friday. His bond was set at $250,000.
Not the first time
While rare, delivery drivers in disguise have been accused of crimes in other cities:
- In Colorado, a group of men pretending to be Amazon drivers robbed a babysitter who was watching two children.
- Two men in Georgia dressed as Amazon drivers attacked a man in his home.
- In New Jersey, a man posing as a fake Amazon delivery driver stole $200,000 in items.
Amazon responds
Amazon spokesperson Maame Attakora said that people who make deliveries on the company's behalf do not knock on doors or ask customers to sign for packages unless prearranged. You can check your account to see when deliveries are expected.
"Unfortunately, there are bad actors who wear look-alike apparel to commit crimes, and we'll defer to police for any official statement about this particular crime," said Attakora.
