Orinda 'Porch Pirate' Arrested: Police

LAMORINDA, CA — Orinda police arrested a man suspected of stealing packages from a home's porch on Big Leaf Road.

Surveillance videos showed a man taking two packages from the front porch, while neighborhood surveillance cameras captured the suspect's car. Orinda police found the vehicle and matched the suspect's description to the driver. Inside the vehicle, police found open, empty packages that they later identified as the ones from the porch. The suspect was charged with misdemeanor theft and possession of burglary tools.

The theft was reported at about 9:14 a.m. on Nov. 30.

“The Orinda Police Department would like to thank residents for their assistance and support,” said Orinda Police Chief Anthony Rossi said in a news release.

Orinda police said to avoid "porch pirate" thefts, residents should:

- Leave delivery instructions to have the package put in a spot that is not visible from the sidewalk or street. Do not leave the package in plain sight.

-Have a neighbor hold it for you if you are not home when the package is delivered.

-Require a signature for the package to be delivered. Have packages tracked.

-Have packages delivered to your work, held at the post office, or delivered to secure locations.

-Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.