PANAMA CITY, Fla. – A Bay County FedEx delivery driver is accused of stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from packages on his route, including a 70-inch television, laptops, electric bicycles and an iPhone 18 Pro Max.
In one case, investigators say the driver removed a customer’s laptop, put a bag of popcorn inside the package, resealed it and marked it as delivered.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Justin Varnes, 35, and his girlfriend, Haeley Olson, 30, following an investigation into missing and disputed FedEx deliveries.
Investigators executed a search warrant at a Bay County residence Oct. 1 and recovered numerous items believed to have been stolen from FedEx shipments. Some of the property had not yet been reported missing, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation relied on recorded interviews, surveillance footage from the delivery vehicle, GPS information and recovered property.
Detectives said Varnes, who worked as a FedEx delivery driver, removed packages from his assigned truck and took them home. During an interview, Varnes admitted stealing packages from his delivery route for about a month, according to investigators.
The Sheriff’s Office said the stolen merchandise identified during the investigation included air-conditioning units, a 70-inch television, laptops, electric bicycles, an iPhone 18 Pro Max and other items.
Investigators described several methods Varnes allegedly used to conceal the thefts.
In some cases, packages were marked as delivered even though the merchandise never reached the customer. In others, investigators said Varnes opened packages, removed the new merchandise and substituted other objects, including used personal belongings, before resealing the boxes and delivering them.
The laptop shipment was one such case.
After discovering a bag of popcorn instead of the laptop, the customer confronted Varnes, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said Varnes denied working for FedEx even though he was driving a FedEx-issued delivery truck and wearing company-issued clothing.
Varnes told investigators he knew the delivery truck was equipped with cameras and GPS tracking, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives also interviewed Olson, who acknowledged that Varnes had been bringing numerous packages from his delivery route into their home, investigators said. She also acknowledged that the couple benefited from and used stolen property.
Investigators estimate the value of the property identified so far at approximately $10,000.
Varnes was charged with grand theft involving $5,000 to $10,000 and an ongoing scheme to defraud. Olson was charged with accessory after the fact to grand theft involving $5,000 to $10,000.
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and additional charges could be filed.