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Thief caught on camera stealing package before delivery driver even leaves porch


{p}A homeowner turns to social media to find a suspected thief who ran past a delivery driver to steal a package, just seconds after it was dropped off on his northwest Columbus front porch. June 3, 2024 (WSYX){/p}

A homeowner turns to social media to find a suspected thief who ran past a delivery driver to steal a package, just seconds after it was dropped off on his northwest Columbus front porch. June 3, 2024 (WSYX)

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A homeowner turns to social media to find a suspected thief who ran past a delivery driver to steal a package just seconds after it was dropped off on his northwest Columbus front porch.

I saw the guy running off. I am still trying to process what happened," said Kyle Dorsch.

The brazen theft was captured on Dorsch's doorbell camera Monday afternoon, just seconds after a FedEx driver dropped off an Apple Watch that Kyle had ordered.

While we are home in the middle of the day -- they didn't wait for the delivery driver to leave the porch, they swooped in real quick and went off," said Dorsch.

"Package thefts are everywhere," said Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua.

We have a ring camera and it doesn't deter -- they still take packages," said Jessica Alvarado, who lives in the Short North. "It's pretty violating, someone is like almost inside our house, taking stuff. It's an unsettling feeling."

Columbus police tell ABC 6 that thieves are now grabbing small packages.

"Cell phone or smart watch; smaller technology that people can sell after-market for lots of money," said Fuqua.

ABC 6 put a poll out on social media asking if people have been targeted by porch pirates -- so far, 22% have voted yes.

Police recommend when you order a package to be delivered:

  • Require a signature on delivery.
  • Have the order delivered to an alternate location.
  • Buy a porch lock box that can allow deliveries to be left in a secure area.
  • Make sure your tracking number is kept private.

"We do believe in some of those cases; somehow, some of these suspects are getting access to tracking numbers to pinpoint when and where you are recovering a package," said Fuqua.

Dorsch is hoping that by posting the video of the theft, the person will be identified caught before he can steal another package.

It just seems unbelievable," said Dorsch. "Didn't seem real. It still hasn't yet."
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