WEST VALLEY CITY — A trio of UPS employees are accused of stealing cell phones and other valuables while they loaded trucks, court documents state.

According to charges filed Monday in 3rd District Court, UPS managers at 2040 W. Parkway Blvd. became suspicious after they received complaints from customers about empty packages that should have contained cell phones. During an investigation, an employee told managers he found an opened T-Mobile cell phone box in a shipping trailer where two other employees were working.

Three employees later admitted to West Valley City police they had stolen a total 16 phones over the past few months and sold them, charges state. One of the employees said he also stole small items including chap stick, soap and lotion and acted as lookout while another of the trio would open packages and steal phones.

Two of the employees, ages 18 and 20, are each charged with one count of theft — a third-degree felony. The third partner is being charged separately.

— Jens Dana