FLAT ROCK, Mich. – Officers spent part of their day delivering Amazon packages to customers after a delivery driver quit mid-shift, leaving boxes scattered along a neighborhood street, according to Flat Rock police Chief Steve McInchak.
The unusual situation occurred on Wednesday (May 20) around 9:08 p.m. on the 30000 block of Dover, when residents called police after spotting what appeared to be Amazon packages abandoned in the roadway.
McInchak said residents also reported a woman employee at the scene who was “screaming and hollering.”
“A couple of the residents stacked the boxes in front of their house, and our officers responded to the area,” McInchak said.
Police recovered about 15 to 20 undelivered packages, most of which were addressed to homes in Flat Rock.
McInchak said Flat Rock Sgt. Scott Beggs contacted him after determining the driver had likely quit during the delivery route.
“He was kind of chuckling about it because he had not seen anything like that,” McInchak said. “In 34 years of doing this job, you see something new every day.”
Officers sorted the packages and spent roughly two hours delivering them door-to-door between about 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m., per McInchak.
McInchak said residents were surprised when officers arrived carrying their Amazon deliveries.
“The gentleman was very surprised when he delivered it,” McInchak said after reviewing body camera footage from one of the deliveries.
McInchak said only one package belonged outside Flat Rock city limits.
That package, addressed to a home in Southgate, was scheduled to be delivered on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
McInchak declined to speculate about what led the driver to abandon the route, saying Amazon would likely conduct its own internal review.
“I don’t want to make any comments for their corporation,” McInchak said. “Obviously, they have security and loss prevention in place, and they’re going to take corrective measures to look into whatever the circumstances were.”
Photos posted by the Flat Rock Police Department showing Amazon packages stacked inside patrol vehicles quickly spread online and drew attention.
McInchak said the response highlighted the department’s focus on community policing and building stronger relationships with residents.
“The officers are approachable,” McInchak said. “Although they wear a distinct uniform, they’re people too. And they’re involved in the community.”
McInchak, who became chief in 2023, said he encourages officers to engage with residents whenever possible, especially during warmer weather.
“At the end of the day, we’re getting them their packages that they ordered,” McInchak said.
Watch the full interview below