In a plot twist that reads more like a crime-comedy screenplay than a straightforward case of workplace misconduct, a Memphis-based FedEx worker is accused of moonlighting as a modern-day pirate. His treasure chest? An intriguing assortment of goods including an $8,500 diamond ring, nearly $14,000 in gold bars, and, for the baseball enthusiasts, some priceless collectible cards. The accused, Antwone Tate, seemed to momentarily misinterpret the phrase “finders keepers,” assuming that any shining, glimmering, or baseball-shaped object was fair game.
This story unfolds on the morning of May 27, when the Loss Prevention team at the Memphis FedEx Hub discovered some disconcerting vanishing acts in their package roster. They promptly launched an investigation that led them to a pawn shop, where—lo and behold—some of the missing loot was discovered. The diamond ring and gold bars were found winking under shop lights, subtly echoing a heist soundtrack yet to be composed.
Tate’s downfall, much like that of many notorious capers, was in the details. His strategic error? Taking a too-personal touch to pawning the goods—using his own driver’s license. In crime 101, this would likely tick the box for “how-not-to-do-it.”
While this tale contains elements of drama and a tinge of comedy, there’s a historic twist interwoven with America’s pastime—baseball. A third package, stuffed with vintage baseball cards, also evaporated into thin air. Among the missing collectibles, a 1915 Cracker Jack Chief Bender and a 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Ty Cobb were as elusive as a perfect pitch. Together, these cards boasted a collective worth in the vicinity of $6,800, making them a tempting score for collectors and thieves alike.
Law enforcement agencies searching high and low didn’t have to look far to solve this aspect of the mystery. Enter Tate’s eBay alter ego: “antta_57.” This piece of the puzzle effectively unraveled under scrutiny, with the account tracing directly back to our not-so-sneaky FedEx employee. In e-commerce terms, “antta_57” might as accurately have been dubbed “iamguilty_100.” For the authorities, it was the digital equivalent of catching a crook red-handed—or perhaps blue-gloved in FedEx attire given the circumstances.
Facing multiple charges of property theft, Tate’s career at FedEx seemed set for a rapid re-routing. FedEx, demonstrating neither humor nor patience for such shenanigans, delivered a parting “boy, bye” in corporate lingo by affirming his exit and reiterating that such actions do not align with company policy. Though this statement dripped with an exasperated sense of “stating the obvious,” it underscored the seriousness with which the company treats employee misconduct, especially when it veers into criminal territory.
For those tracking the trajectory of their purchases with the anticipation typically reserved for holiday mornings, this tale adds a concerning twist. Should a delivery mysteriously vanish from sight despite being “out for delivery,” a quick jaunt over to eBay might reveal its glittering fate. However, a word of caution: one should probably steer clear of anything listed by user “antta_58,” just to avoid any lingering echoes of this debacle.
This quirky caper serves as a compelling reminder of not just the importance of trusting those who handle our parcels but also the enduring allure that certain valuable items hold—even in a zeitgeist that runs largely on click-and-ship. While there’s a morality lesson somewhere in this saga, for now, it stands as a testament to the sometimes flawed human temptation to turn opportunity into profit, no matter how egregious the means. As for Antwone Tate, his story is a cautionary tale in modern retail logistics and a sobering reminder that in the grand scheme of things, the long arm of the law may occasionally outpace even express shipping.
