'Porch Pirates' Strike in Fredericksburg: Police

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Now this is a stunner. Take heed. And follow a few tips to make sure it doesn't happen to you.

Early Thursday afternoon, a resident reported than an unknown person stole a package that had been delivered to her front door in the 1000 block of Wicklow Drive.

Yep, she apparently was hit by so-called porch pirates, who prowl around neighborhoods during the holiday season waiting to pounce.

In a move also dubbed "front porch shopping," observant thieves will follow delivery trucks and steal recently delivered packages from porches and stoops.

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.

Also in Friday's Fredericksburg Police report:

Burglary/ Breaking and Entering:
Classic Car Wash, 3351 Fall Hill Avenue, 12/8, 8:30 a.m. The owner reported arriving at the
establishment and finding the front door kicked in. Police responded and found several power tools were
taken. Detectives were called out to investigate. The investigation is ongoing.

Larceny – Theft from Motor Vehicle:
1100 block Walker Drive, 12/9, 4:15 a.m. A City resident reported that an unknown person stole his lap
top and wallet containing several hundred dollars from his vehicle. There were no signs of forced entry.
No suspects or witnesses at this time.

Larceny:
Walmart, 1800 Carl D. Silver Parkway, 12/8, 2:30 p.m. A citizen reported that an unknown person stole
her purse from her shopping cart. No suspects or witnesses at this time.

Vandalism:
Santa Fe Car Wash, 1610 Carl D. Silver Parkway, 12/7, 5:45 p.m. A citizen reported that an unknown
person keyed his vehicle while it was parked in the car wash parking lot. No suspects or witnesses at this
time.

Patch file photo courtesy of UPS