'Porch Pirates' In PG County Bring Package Theft Reminders

CAMP SPRINGS, MD — Prince George's County Police are warning residents of porch pirates who prowl around neighborhoods during the holiday season waiting to pounce.

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

One incident occurred in Camp Springs on Nov. 15 when a packages was stolen from a home on Westridge Place. The incident was caught on surveillance video (see below) and shows the suspect walk up to the home and take the package.

Prince George's County Police and security experts have shared reminders on how to thwart "porch pirates" and ensure you receive your packages:

• Ship the item to your workplace.
• Have a neighbor keep an eye out for the item if you know you won’t be home during the delivery window.
• Have the item sent to a friend or family member who is home during normal delivery hours.
• Request that the shipper holds the package at their facility for pickup.
• Require a signature at the time of delivery
• 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.

Anyone with information in the theft in the video is asked to call police at 301-794-5064. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.)

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