package theft

“PSA for the Shaw neighborhood about break-ins”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

“Dear PoPville,

Can you post a PSA for the Shaw neighborhood about break-ins? Our basement apt (10th & O NW) had the door kicked in yesterday and the police that responded said there was a similar break in on Kingman Pl only a few blocks away yesterday, too. it was probably because we had an amazon package delivered. The guy(s) may have been following the delivery guy, went to investigate the package, which usually gets left under the steps in front of the basement apt door, and decided the door looked kick-in-able. They also tried to get in upstairs (cut the screen on our security gate) but fortunately we don’t have a flip lock on our security gate and they gave up.

We thought the door was secure, but we were obviously wrong and we’re replacing it and getting a security gate installed as an extra precaution. Sigh.

also, let me know if you see a guy trying to unload 200 amazon brand batteries…”

Prepare Yourself, Prime Package Theft Season Kicks Off Soon

By Prince Of Petworth

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From MPD:

“PACKAGE THEFTS

During the upcoming holiday season, please be mindful of any package deliveries made to your home. Please note some of the package prevention tips that I have included below.

A CRIME OF OPPORTUNITY

Package thefts are crimes of opportunity. The Metropolitan Police Department would like to remind citizens to take extra care this time of year when having mail and packages delivered to their residence. Package thefts from doorstops and front porches during the day usually increase between the months of November and January. There are steps you can take to be proactive in keeping your package safe from theft.

PACKAGE THEFT PREVENTION TIPS (more…)

“the gall of this dude is infuriating”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Alleged package theft at 8th and K St, NE

“Dear PoPville,

Can you post this for a friend of mine who lives off of 8th and K NE? He caught on camera a man stealing packages off his doorstep (the pictures are from a motion activated security camera). I know there are more pressing (violent) issues in this neighborhood right now, but the gall of this dude is infuriating.”

Ed. Note: Another reader sent an email about this incident saying the neighborhood group had a look out for Charlie Brown.

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“Yet another Package thief caught on camera in Brightwood. Should I confront them?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Once again I was hit by yet another package thief (a pair of them in this case).
I work from home so I don’t usually have an issue when couriers leave the packages out on my porch, the problem is that the drivers for UPS and ‘LaserShip’ just plain refuse to ring the bell once they deliver a package, so, many times packages just sit there for a bit until I notice them. I actually walked out to pick up the packages (on this video) not even 2 minutes after the thieves stole some of them.

Funny thing is that the packages they stole only contained acne cream and other ‘beauty products’… judging by the video, they’re teens, so the acne cream might suit them well.

Sometimes I think I should take matters into my own hands and set them up and confront them… any thoughts on this PoPville?”

Masked package thief caught on video

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader reports:

“We live on 14th St. NE and this is the fifth time we’ve had a package stolen and caught the perpetrators on video. We try to have most things shipped to Amazon Locker or various corner stores, but that isn’t always possible. When a package gets delivered to our house, it’s only a matter of time before it gets stolen. Usually never more than an hour or so. As you can see, this video is pretty clear. We’ve filed a police report, so hopefully they track these kids down. They’re very likely from the charter school right up the street.”

The Stop & Go Market (which has an awesome beer selection, by the way) at Sherman Ave and Columbia Rd in Park View/Columbia Heights has been going through some colorful renovations lately”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thanks to a reader for sending:

“The Stop & Go Market (which has an awesome beer selection, by the way) at Sherman Ave and Columbia Rd in Park View/Columbia Heights has been going through some colorful renovations lately. It appears that it is now a UPS Access Point where you can “conveniently pick up and drop of packages.” I’m not sure if they charge a fee, but this might be a good alternative to having packages delivered to, and then stolen from, your front door.”

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Package Theft Follow-Up: Props to the Cops (Unfortunately Another One Caught on Film)

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

A reader reports:

“You posted a stolen package video that was captured by my home surveillance cam. I received notice today from the U.S. Attorney’s Office that a man was charged with second degree theft and is due in court in early June. DC MPD Officer Naples followed this through and was fantastic — big props and thanks to him!”

Sadly though another one caught on film and tweeted to us today:

“man steals package from our porch on 9th st between k and i st NE. It may be the same man who struck here.”

Another Alleged Package Theft in Action

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to send this along as yet another advisory on package theft. I live on 4th & I St, NE, and had a package stolen at 3:29 yesterday – less than a minute after it was delivered by UPS. You can’t see the guys face, but he’s wearing a pretty bright red sweatshirt. Can you pass this along in case anyone saw anything, or at the very least as a heads up?

We’ve contacted MPD and UPS, so maybe something will come of it. The UPS delivery man even stuck the package behind our recycling bin. So it’s pretty clear the guy was just following the truck.

Thanks,
Your frustrated neighbor in NE”

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