Thief Steals Packages From UES, UWS Buildings, Police Say

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The NYPD is trying to identify a man wanted in connection with multiple package thefts on the Upper East and West sides, police said.

The thief has struck at least four times in recent months by gaining entrance to building lobbies and snatching packages left for residents, police said. The scheme appears to be a group effort, as the thief often makes his getaway with the help of a driver in a blue SUV, police said.

Here's a breakdown of the thefts:

• On June 16, the thief entered a building on East 81st Street and First Avenue and steals a package meant for a 32-year-old resident of the building. The thief breaks into the same building on June 22 and again steals a package meant for the resident, police said. The building's lobby was unlocked.
• On August 15, the thief entered a building on East 66th Street and Broadway and stole packages intended for an 82-year-old resident, police said. The building's lobby was locked, but there was no sign of forced entry, police said.
• On August 22, the thief entered a building on East 87th Street and Second Avenue and stole a package intended for a 68-year-old resident, police said. The building's lobby was unlocked at the time of the theft, police said.

The suspect (pictured above) is described as a man in his 40s with a large build who was last seen wearing a tee-shirt, gray shorts, sunglasses on his head and Nike sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Photo by NYPD