Bathrobe-Clad Package Thief Sought In Cambridge: Police

CAMBRIDGE, MA — Cambridge police are seeking the identity of a person who stole several packages from a Memorial Drive apartment complex.

The thefts happened on Oct. 30 but were not reported until late November, police said.

The video shows the suspect – wearing a purple bathrobe – prop open a lobby door, take the packages and leave the area in what is believed to be a dark green hatchback. Police said more than five packages were stolen.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Cambridge Police Department at 617-349-3300.

Cambridge police shared the following tips for preventing package thefts this holiday season:

• Send the package to the residence of a trusted friend or relative who you know will be home. Be sure that the friend is ready and waiting to retrieve the package when the doorbell rings.
• Ask the package delivery company to hold the package if you will not be home (many have local delivery centers). While we can't promise that this service is available, there are companies that will hold a package for up to 5 days.
• Request that your package be marked "signature required." This requires the delivery person to stand by and wait until you're available to retrieve the package. You could also put a note on your door, requesting the deliverer go to your next-door neighbor for the signature.
• Leave special instructions on where to deliver the package. If possible, a good place is on the side or back of the house so that the package is out of sight from the road. Ask the delivery person to take and discard the note with him/her or leave it with the package.
• Use a company that provides a tracking service and check online to see when your package is scheduled to arrive.
• Have the items shipped to the nearest store for "in-store pick-up."
• If possible, have any cost-sensitive packages delivered to your work.