The holidays can be stressful enough, and stolen mail can make it even worse.
Some bubble wrap, tape and a sturdy box, Maria Cruzado has it down to the tee.
With the holidays right around the corner, she’s been busy getting packages shipped out.
Maria Cruzado said, “We’re getting flooded, like it’s getting flooded, people will have to wait in line.”
Every box secured with care …Inside, someone’s belongings that have somewhere to be.
Cruzado said: “We ship hundreds of packages a day.”
Postal services get the job done, delivering millions of packages to every corner of the country every day.
But police are warning people of the thieves who are on the prowl, poaching packages from people’s doorsteps.
This guy was arrested Tuesday, Nov. 13.
According to Tampa police, he hit at least five homes.
Steve Hegarty said: “The problem is that the thieves know that you’re going to have some packages delivered to your house, they know this is the time of year. So we’re trying to warn people about what they can do to prevent it.”
You can have packages delivered to your place of work, or to a neighbor’s house if you know they’ll be home. And stay on top of tracking numbers to know when mail will be delivered.
Cruzado said: “We always recommend signature required, because it means that the driver cannot leave the package.”
You can also tell UPS drivers where you want them to leave your packages.
If you think your shed or behind the garage are safer locations, let them know for future reference.
If a package is stolen, be sure to call police.
Hegarty said: “I think sometimes they’re very disappointed when they open them. Because it might just be a pair of pants that doesn’t fit you.”
But as we’ve seen, these thieves are willing to take the chance.
