Caught On Camera: Porch Pirate Switches Package With Empty Box
Dec 19, 2019, 2:06 PM | Updated: Dec 20, 2019, 1:37 pm
WOODS CROSS, Utah – A porch pirate in Davis County used a different tactic than just swiping a package off a doorstep – and it was all caught on camera.
The theft happened near 1450 West and 2175. Police said the thief carried a package from his car to the porch, except the box he’s delivering has far less value.
“He brings an empty one, yes!” said Sarah Dahl, a Woods Cross resident who heard about the theft on social media.
In the surveillance video, a man can be seen getting out of a car with a package in hand. He walks up the steps like he’s delivering it, then switches it out for another package and walks away.
Woods Cross Police Chief Chad Soffe said this tactic is probably “to make him look more legit to a neighbor, maybe somebody out front or across the street.”
“It seems like they really do hit fast,” said Dahl.
Police said this is the third porch theft this week in Woods Cross, and it has stirred up a lot of chatter.
“Our neighborhood Facebook page, there’s been a lot of talk about the porch pirates and everyone’s really concerned,” Dahl said. “Everyone is trying to look out for each other.”
Soffe said fortunately the resident in this most recent theft had a camera that captured the whole act on video. However, authorities are still searching for the alleged thief.
If residents see a packages coming and going from vehicles that don’t have official markings, they should call the police, Soffe said.
“… We want people to call if they see something that just isn’t right,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents like Dahl will keep an eye out for another Grinch attempting to steal Christmas.
“I sure don’t like that it’s reached my across-the-street-neighbor,” she said. “It’s too close for comfort anywhere in Woods Cross, but especially on our little street.”
Police suggest having packages delivered to work or specify a time when you will be home. Amazon packages can also be delivered to local Amazon Lockers.
Anyone with information about the man in the video is asked to call police at 801-294-4422.
