'Porch Pirate,' 14, Thwarted In Theft: Police

ANNAPOLIS, MD — With the growing popularity of online shopping, police around the country these days are dealing with a new type of criminal: the "porch pirate," a thief who prowls around neighborhoods, waiting to grab packages that have been delivered and left on front doorsteps.

More and more packages are getting snatched during the holiday season, but "front porch shopping," as police call it, can happen at any time of the year. At about 5 p.m. Tuesday, an alert resident spotted a 14-year-old juvenile stealing packages from the front porch of a home on Rockwell Court, according to the Annapolis Police Department. (Get Patch’s real-time news alerts or like us on Facebook. For iPhone users, get the free Patch app.)

The resident contacted the police, and they were able to identify the youth, who lives in Annapolis. Officers then located the boy, arrested him and charged him with theft, according to a police report.

The officers also recovered the stolen packages and returned them to the victim. The youth was charged on a juvenile citation and released to his guardian, the police said.

Police and security experts have shared some reminders on how to thwart "porch pirates" and ensure you receive your packages:

• If possible, have your package delivered to a location where it can be received by a trusted person.
• 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 deliver 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.

If you see suspicious activity, or if your package is stolen, call 410-268-4141 to report it to the police.

Image: Patch file photo courtesy of UPS

Regional Editor Deb Belt contributed to this story.