Police warn of grinches out to steal deliveries, holiday joy

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Tis the season for porch pirates. St. Louis County police are issuing a dire warning about package thefts this holiday season and giving out advice on how you can guard your gifts and other deliveries.

The St. Louis County Police Department put together a video on porch pirates and how people can steal something off your porch in minutes to remind residents there are grinches out there who don't want your holidays to be merry and bright!

“The doorbell cameras, unfortunately, don't serve as a deterrent much anymore,” Sgt. Tracy Panus, St. Louis County Police Department, said. “We still have tons and tons of videos out there of people stealing off our front porches, and unless we can identify those people, it really doesn't help; and it does not deter people from doing it. We want to do everything we can to keep you from being a victim.”

According to a national survey, 1-in-6 Americans has been the victim of porch theft within the past year.

Meanwhile, detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are asking for the public’s help to identify and locate a suspected porch pirate. Police released doorbell footage of a woman who allegedly stole a package from a porch in the 2400 block of South 10th Street in Soulard, around 1 a.m. on Nov. 3.

Authorities said most delivery services offer alternatives to help reduce the number of thefts. For example, UPS customers can opt to send packages to UPS Access Point locations.

“The more and more people order online—today is Cyber Monday—people are having all these deliveries; they arrive at their house and they are not home a lot of times. So, the best thing you can do is have that delivery to maybe one of your neighbors who are home at that time,” Panus said. “You can also have it delivered to sign for that purchase; therefore, you have to be there when you get it. Or there are lots of locations now where you can have your packages delivered and you can pick them up at your convenience.”

Meanwhile, anyone with information on the Soulard porch theft can contact St. Louis police. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous or are interested in a cash reward can call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.