A 64‑year‑old Merritt Island man was arrested this week after deputies say he climbed into an Amazon delivery van and drove it while the delivery driver was still inside — claiming the vehicle was blocking the roadway.
The unusual encounter unfolded on Feb. 25, when deputies from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious incident in the Cepheus Court area of Merritt Island.
According to authorities, the Amazon driver had stopped briefly on the street to deliver packages when a man later identified as Joseph Baldi — a neighbor from the same street — began yelling at him to move the van because it was obstructing traffic.
The driver explained he would move the van once he finished his delivery. Instead, investigators said, Baldi allegedly got into the driver’s seat of the parked Amazon van and attempted to drive off.
In a dramatic moment captured on surveillance video obtained by deputies, the delivery driver is seen running after the van and entering it through the open side door in an attempt to stop Baldi. The footage shows the suspect putting the van into motion with the driver still inside the cargo area.
The sudden movement caused the driver to brace himself, and a metal package rack struck his arm when the vehicle came to a stop, according to law enforcement.
After abruptly stopping the vehicle, Baldi reportedly returned to his car and left the scene. Deputies later identified him using video and the van’s license plate.
On March 9, deputies located Baldi as he was leaving his neighborhood. After being advised of his rights, he acknowledged entering and driving the delivery vehicle, telling investigators the van was “blocking the roadway,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Baldi was arrested without incident and taken to the Brevard County Jail. He now faces felony charges including grand theft of a motor vehicle and kidnapping, the latter because the Amazon driver was confined inside the van during the incident.
Sheriff’s officials emphasized that residents should contact law enforcement if a vehicle is obstructing traffic, rather than taking matters into their own hands.
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