'Porch Pirates' Steal Packages From Oak Park Home

OAK PARK, IL --- With the holiday season in full swing, Oak Park has become one of many suburbs targeted by so-called "porch pirates." These thieves watch for unattended packages or even follow delivery trucks and swipe the packages when they are left on front porches. On Tuesday, thieves stole hundreds of dollars worth of USPS and FedEx packages from outside of a home in the 1000 block of Mapleton.

The victim told police the theft took place sometime between 3:07 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The stolen packages reportedly contained headphones, an amplifier, and a record. Police say the total loss was estimated at $710.

It can be difficult to thwart porch pirates, but police suggest taking the following precautions to ensure your holiday gifts are kept safe and sound:

• Require a signature for delivery
• Request delivery updates
• Ask your neighbor to watch for deliveries
• Install security lights or cameras

If you see anything suspicious or know anything about Tuesday's package theft, call Oak Park police at 708-434-1636.

Image credit: Renee Schiavone/Patch