Police in Madera, California, have posted several videos of a man going through neighborhoods stealing packages.
The man, who appears to be of average height and slim build, has been recorded repeatedly by people with security cameras at their doorways or in their doorbells.
In some videos he can be seen carrying the stolen packages to a small silver sedan.
The videos are all from houses on the west side of the city of 60,000, and were taken over the past several days.
The Madera Police are asking anyone who recognizes the man to call them at 675-4220 or Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP. Tips can be left anonymously.
Stealing deliveries while homeowners are out is not a new phenomenon. It is usually worse around the holidays, when a lot more people have packages delivered.
In all cases police recommend trying to set a delivery time and date when someone will be home.
Another but Bolder Thief
In West Goshen Pennsylvania Maury Cameron and his wife were at home when the thief came by. “We heard a car, so I came out and saw the car pull away out of the driveway,” Maury said.
This happened around 3 p.m. on July 26. The thief stole two packages from the Camerons’ driveway. Luckily they have surveillance video around their home and when they realized that the packages hadn’t been delivered they checked their video. Caron said that he and his wife “feel absolutely violated.”
In the footage the suspect can be seen getting out of his car, check to see if was safe and he then takes one of the packages. then he gets in his car and drives it right up to the Carons’ garage, gets out and takes the second package.
West Goshen Township Police Capt. Gregory Stone said investigators believe the thief drove a gold or silver older model Toyota with two decals on the back windshield, one in the middle and one on the bottom right corner.
The captain recommends having all deliveries go to a location where someone can receive them immediately.
Ways to Prevent Package Theft
There are ways to prevent package theft from your home.
You can enlist the help of a neighbor. Asking a neighbor who is going to be home on the day of delivery doesn’t give a thief a chance to steal your merchandise.
You can also have packages delivered to your place of work. This way the delivery becomes an inside job, meaning the package isn’t left outside.
Ask the delivery company for delivery alerts so you know when packages are arriving.
And a rather pricey option is to install a box with a lock. The delivery person scans the package, the lock opens and the package is put inside the box and then relocked until you open it to retrieve your package.
