Police Seeking Thief Who Stole Packages off Porch in Newington

NEWINGTON, CT — Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man suspected of stealing packages from the front porch of a home in the Culver Street area Wednesday.

Anyone who recognizes the man or has any information is asked to contact Officer Williams at 860-594-6254.

Police are offering a few suggestions to decrease the chances of similar thefts:

• If possible, have your package delivered to a location where it can be received by a trusted person.
• Ask neighbors who are home during the day to watch for deliveries.
• Request that the shipper holds the package at their facility for pickup.
• Track deliveries online and confirm delivery has occurred.
• Insure valuable items.
• Provide delivery instructions so packages are left out of sight from the street.
• Watch out for vehicles following delivery vans through neighborhoods. Some thieves will simply shadow delivery drivers and go from house to house stealing newly delivered packages.
• When sending packages, take them to a post office or other shipping facility rather than leaving them outside your home for pickup. Let the person you are sending the package to know to expect the package.
• Show off your home security system; make sure you have a sign in the front yard. If you have security cameras, make sure potential thieves know they're there, and if you have a doorbell camera, use it.
• Sign up for email notifications from FedEx, UPS and businesses like Amazon and Urban Outfitters to track your package from initial shipment to its arrival at your home or the recipient's address if you have the gift delivered directly.

Photos courtesy of Newington Police Department