“Just wanted to pass this on to warn my H Street/Capital Hill neighbors. A package was stolen from my front porch in the middle of the afternoon on Easter Sunday and the theft was caught on tape. If possible, please share so that others can be on the lookout for this man. A police report has been filed.”
package theft
“1 package stolen from our porch, 2 from mailbox.
H Street corridor area of Northeast D.C.”
Unfortunately December’s revenge wasn’t a big enough deterrent…
Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin
Painful package theft from the Hill East listserve:
“I guess it is probably my fault for thinking I could actually have a package sent to my house without it getting stolen but the joke is on me. A package was stolen from my front porch today. So if you see a well-read jerk/a**hole walking around with a 1957 first edition copy of William Faulkner’s “Intruder in the Dust” with slight dust jacket wear, please punch him. While he is down, I would appreciate the book back as well.”
Remember the Package Thief Revenge Fantasy becomes a Reality post back in early December?
“One DC woman, fed up with packages being stolen from her H Street Northeast front stoop, decided to place dog poop in a box – and then let the camera do the rest.”
A brief update:
“The guy who stole my packages and the poop was arrested and charged today.”
Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC
From MPD:
“On 12/5/14, unknown persons forced entry into a condominium unit in the 3600 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW. Taken was assorted jewelry, credit cards, and a vehicle. The vehicle was recovered several days later. The Fourth District Detectives Unit (4DDU) identified a subject based on their investigation into the offense. Today [Tuesday], the 4DDU detective in the case interviewed 18 year old Ayang Henok of Takoma Park, MD. Based on the content of the interview and evidence that had been recovered, Ayan Henok has been charged with Burglary II. In this case, an alert neighbor noticed the forced entry into the victim’s residence who was away on vacation out of state. The quick reporting assisted the detective in gathering pertinent information that assisted in the closure of this case. I cannot stress enough the power of the community and neighbors looking out for one another.
If you notice suspicious activity to please call 911 and provide the best description possible and the exact location.”
and
“On Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at around 3:40 pm, an alert member of the community called the police after they noticed that someone in the rear alley of the 1200 block of Gallatin Street, NW, was carrying packages that did not belong to them. The community member gave a very descriptive lookout that was relayed to the arriving police officers. The officers quickly located a subject that they observed putting packages into a trash can in the rear alley of . After a brief investigation, it was determined that the packages that were in the trash can were stolen from the porches of nearby residences. The subject was placed under arrest. He is identified as 19 year old Julian Wright of the 1200 block of Decatur Street, NW.
This case closure is an example of an alert community member immediately reporting to police suspicious activity and the quick response by officers to locate the suspect. The packages were returned to the owners.”
From MPD:
“On Saturday, December 20, 2014, at approximately 4:30p.m., Third District Mountain Bike officers were flagged down by a witness who observed a female suspect take numerous mail packages from several homes in the 1900 block of 13th Street, NW.
The Third District Mountain Officers canvassed the area and was able to locate and stop the female suspect in the 1300 block of T Street, NW. After further investigation the female suspect was arrested and charged with numerous counts of Theft and receiving stolen property.
Thanks to the quick action of one of your neighbors we were able to make the arrest!!”
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From MPD:
“The Third District has made another package theft arrest.
The theft occurred in the 3000 block of 13th St., Northwest.
We used video footage from a private camera to identify the thief.
Thanks to the quick action of one of your neighbors we were able to make the arrest.”
Another reader sends MPD tips:
“Please help us in our fight against mail package theft by reviewing the following tips.
Here’s what you can do to protect your mail from thieves:
1. Get a tracking number from the shipping company.
2. Require a signature with the delivery.
3. If you won’t be home, have the company leave the package at a local shipping center.
4. Set up an obvious surveillance camera with your home security system.
5. If UPS is making the delivery, get onboard with their U.P.S. My Choice program, which sends an e-mail or text message to the customer just prior to package arrival; it will be rerouted if nobody is home. (more…)
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“Dear PoPville,
I live in an apartment building on Irving St NW, between Warder and Park. About a half an hour ago I went outside and I noticed a person standing on the front steps. He was an older black man, with short gray hair and a short gray beard. He was around 5’10-6′ tall and was wearing an army green puffy down jacket with a brownish fur-lined hood. At the time I noticed him there were three packages in my building’s mail area, definitely visible to this person. As I exited the building he stood in a manner which made me think he was going to try to catch the door after i walked away. Because I felt he was suspicious, I shut the door securely behind me after i left. I went outside to walk my dog, and when I returned I went in the back way and headed to the mail area in hopes of getting a better look at him. Sure enough he was still there, but when he saw me, he calmly, but quickly, walked up the street. I proceeded to remove the packages from the mail area and place them at the apartments to which they were addressed.
I went outside to see if he was hanging around and noticed him waiting at the end of the street, possibly for the light to change, but there weren’t any cars coming either way and he was free to cross. I couldn’t get a photo of him, unfortunately. He seemed to be heading west on Irving, towards Columbia Heights. My building management has informed me that they have noticed someone fitting this man’s description loitering on our steps before today.
I would like to spread the word about this guy as the holiday-package season kicks into full gear. My girlfriend and I lost 4 packages this way last year and it really kills the holiday vibes.”
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Thanks to a friend of mine, @chuckwestover, for sharing
“One DC woman, fed up with packages being stolen from her H Street Northeast front stoop, decided to place dog poop in a box – and then let the camera do the rest.”
The resident who filmed the video writes:
“I used to have stuff delivered all the time, but in the last two months three packages were stolen. Two were successfully delivered. I got the guy on video and he walks right to the spot and takes the box. I told the police, but they haven’t called back yet.”
Sadly video of this special delivery being opened is not available…
A reader writes:
“We had a package stolen from our front porch on the 900 block of Farragut Street [Friday, 3:30pm]. Can you please post this picture on your site. He placed the package in the black garbage bag. Now that it is the holiday season, be aware that others maybe tracking your comings and goings. We’re also calling the police about this as well. Thanks.”