Holiday Package Thefts Continue In Hoboken: Police

Hoboken, NJ - Holiday season package thefts continue to plague Hoboken residents, according to police.

Since issuing a theft advisory in late November, the Hoboken Police Department has seen repeated instances of alleged package theft.

• See related article: Hoboken Police: Beware Of Package Thefts This Holiday Season

The latest reported arrest took place on Dec. 9, when police responded to a report of a possible burglary at 501 9th Street. According to police, an off-duty officer who arrived on the scene allegedly saw a male exit the building, then re-enter and exit again with a cart and packages.

A Hoboken police officer later found the suspect – Luis Medina, 35, of Union City – with several packages, which he denied taking, authorities stated.

Police arrested Medina and transported him to headquarters, where he allegedly later admitted to stealing packages from the building.

According to police, the allegedly stolen items included shoes, clothes and kitchen items.

POLICE ADVISORY: BEWARE OF PACKAGE THEFT

“As with every holiday season the number of package deliveries increase,” Hoboken police stated in a recent release. “Unfortunately, some of these packages never make it to the owner. Most of these thefts are preventable if the below listed tips can be followed.”

• Do not let anyone who rings the bell inside the building without first confirming who the person is.
• Any resident who is entering the buildings should not let anyone else inside who is not a resident of that building.
• There should be an arrangement made with the delivery services such as UPS or Fed-ex to have the packages left in a secured area only accessible to the tenants or management.
• Tenants should speak with management or landlords about properly securing all access doors to the building.
• If there is anyone wandering inside or outside the property and the tenant is not familiar with them, immediately notify the police department. Do not confront the individual or anyone who may be with them.

File photo via flickr