The tale of Antwone Tate reads like the plot of an audacious caper. This Memphis-based FedEx worker seemingly misread the employee handbook, mistaking “handle with care” for “take with flair.” Accused of orchestrating a daring raid on his own employer, Tate is now at the heart of a curious case involving missing packages and a suddenly enriched pawn shop.
It all started when Loss Prevention at FedEx’s Memphis Hub noticed a troubling trend: countless packages had seemingly vanished into thin air. On May 27, diligent investigators began peeling back the layers of this mystery like a well-wrapped parcel, only to find themselves at a pawn shop that seemed to have misplaced its scruples.
What they found was nothing short of stunning—a glittering $8,500 diamond ring and almost $14,000 worth of glistening gold bars. Both gleamed ominously under the florescent lights of the pawn shop, far removed from their intended destinations. How, you ask? Allegedly, a certain FedEx employee named Tate had facilitated their sudden appearance. One would think that such precious cargo might have traveled in disguise, yet they were as glaring as neon signs in the shop’s window—courtesy of Tate, who naively registered them with his own driver’s license. Pro tip: When attempting a heist, leave the trail of breadcrumbs at home.
But the intrigue didn’t stop there. Like every good magician, Tate had one more trick up his sleeve: a third package, filled with the ghosts of baseball’s past, had also performed a spectacular disappearing act. Among the heap of valuable baseball nostalgia were rare gems like a 1915 Cracker Jack Chief Bender and a 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Ty Cobb—cards that could make a collector’s heart skip a beat or two. Together, these relics were worth a cool $6,800.
Authorities, however, weren’t about to miss the inning’s final play. The cards, it seems, had made a detour to eBay, listed under the seller name “antta_57.” Just like Sherlock Holmes joining a garage sale, it didn’t take long for detectives to trace this online alias back to none other than…. Tate. Who, in a twist that shocked absolutely no one, was apprehended with a virtual hand in his metaphorical cookie jar of sports memorabilia.
Now, facing the daunting melody of a courtroom gavel, Tate has been charged with theft of property—a charge that might just rival the Rookie of the Year in note-worthy debuts. Meanwhile, FedEx has promptly shown him the door, delivering a statement as pointed as a boxcutter blade. They assured everyone that Tate’s escapades were not in their training manual, and that pilfering is about as welcome at FedEx as a rainstorm at a garden party.
The entire saga certainly adds a note of caution for those indefatigable souls eagerly tracking packages, watching with bated breath as their latest purchase edges closer on the digital map. Should your eagerly-awaited delivery ever detour into the hereafter, it might be worth taking a peek over at eBay. Just remember to steer clear of anything listed by “antta_58.” Your package could be the latest in a now-infamous—and none too subtle—string of disappearing acts.
As FedEx continues its steady march forward, they’re likely hoping that misadventures like Tate’s become as forgotten as an untrackable parcel. In the meantime, customers and collectors alike may want to keep an extra careful eye on their valuables, proving that while diamonds may indeed be forever, it’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure they reach their rightful owner first.
