Package Thief On The Loose; How To Protect Your Purchases

If you are expecting to receive packages from online shopping, Howell Township police are warning residents to take steps to safeguard those deliveries.

Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick, in a post on the department’s Facebook page, said there is a thief at work, particularly in the Ramtown section.

“Instead of earning money by being employed at legitimate job, this thief is stealing packages that are left at the front door,” he said, noting that most of the thefts have occurred in the afternoon or evening.

“Please take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves from these thefts,” Kudrick said.

Travelers Insurance offers these tips, he said:

Porch Pirating

When having packages delivered to your home, beware of “porch pirating” — when a thief steals delivered packages from your doorstep or porch. Thieves can follow delivery trucks, watching for prime targets. These thieves commonly strike during working hours as many homes are empty at that time.

To help avoid this situation:

• When possible, have your packages delivered to a location where they can be received in person, such as a neighbor’s or relative’s house. If your employer allows it, consider having your package delivered to work.
• When making a purchase online, if the retailer provides the option, choose a specific delivery time.
• If purchasing from a larger retailer, consider having your package delivered to a local store for pick-up.
• Take advantage of delivery alerts so you can be notified when a package arrives at your home.
• If you are not available to accept delivery, ask a trusted neighbor to take your package inside for safekeeping.
• When possible, request the delivery company to hold your package at their closest pick-up facility until you can pick it up.
• Ask the shipper to require a signature confirmation of delivery in order to prevent packages being left when no one is home to sign for them.
• Provide delivery instructions so packages can be left out of sight from your yard or the road.

If you are victim, please report it through through the department’s website, www.howellpolice.org.

“In the event the thief is caught, at least we know who to return the merchandise to,” he said.

“Remember, always be alert of your surroundings. There are undesirables always looking to take advantage of you,: Kudrick wrote.