Package Thief Targets Shaker Heights This Week

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Every year, police departments across the nation battle a plague of package thefts during the holiday season. Over the past week, opportunist thieves have targeted Shaker Heights residents, stealing packages, breaking into homes, and searching unlocked cars.

On Monday, a delivered package was snatched from a home on Scottsdale Boulevard, police records indicate. The package had been left outside over the weekend and became ripe for the picking.

Like other police departments in the state, Shaker Heights has issued a series of tips to protect residents from porch pirates and prowlers. While most of the advice is common sense, it's a good reminder that packages are especially vulnerable during the holidays.

Here are the tips from Shaker Heights Police:

-Have packages delivered to your work
-Request delivery to a rear door
-Require a signature for delivery
-Ask a neighbor to hold your packages for you

Most importantly, if anyone spots suspicious or criminal activity in their neighborhood, they should immediately contact police. Something more nefarious than package theft could be afoot.

Monday's crime was the latest in a string of property thefts that have plagued Shaker in recent days.

On Dec. 5, someone walked into an unlocked home on Shaker Boulevard and stole property from the residence, police said. A day later, on South Woodland Road, a locked home was broken into and the thief stole money and property.

On Sunday, an unlocked car was rifled through on Scottsdale Boulevard and someone damaged property to steal money from an Avalon Road man.

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