I did a bit of research, and found a bunch of people saying they just leave undelivered packages in their cars because they don't have time (desire?) to drive back to the warehouse 10-15 minutes away.
I also couldn't find anything about anyone getting paid, so either the arrested guy was lying or it's something new they're trying?
But if it's true, I'd say it's less of an incentive, and more of Amazon just compensating people who end up having to do more work.
It would seem that Amazon would just pay them to return to the warehouse with merchandise, rather than paying them for each package they don't deliver.
Given Amazon's razor thin margins, zeal for efficiency and cost consciousness, this seems to just be a suspect making up a story to try and get away with a crime.
Not only that. Amazon is aware of which packages it’s given to a delivery driver. If he returned packages that weren’t given to him that’s a major red flag.