UPS employee charged with stealing packages, pawning items

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A 26-year-old woman faces charges for stealing packages while she was employed by the United Parcel Service. Investigators say she is accused of pawning the items she stole at several local shops in Gaithersburg.

Adela Beatriz Orellana, of Hyattsville, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of theft in connection to the UPS thefts. 

On Nov. 21, 2023, just after 4:30 p.m., officers say one person reported a theft that had occurred earlier that day. The victim told police he sent five gold coins through the UPS store on Viers Mills Road, but when the package reached its destination, only two gold coins remained.

Over five months later, on April 1, the victim told police that the missing gold coins were located at a coin shop on Wayne Avenue.

Through an investigation, detectives identified Orellana as the suspect.

On June 20, an arrest warrant was issued for Orellana and she turned herself into police the following Wednesday. Police say Orellana was taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where she was released after posting bond.

It was further alleged that Orellana stole property from other packages and has been charged for those crimes as well. This all happened while she was employed at UPS. 

Detectives believe there may be additional victims who sent packages through the Rockville and Wheaton UPS stores, where Orellana was employed. Detectives are asking these victims to come forward.

Additional victims are asked to contact detectives at (240) 773-5476.