Online shoppers beware… Paso Robles police are looking for a man seen on surveillance video stealing a package from a home on the east side of the city.
The police department says there’s been a recent increase in package thefts, not only in Paso Robles, but throughout the nation.
According to an August Home Study, 74 percent of packages are stolen during the day when homeowners are at work.
The Paso Robles porch pirate is seen in the video stealing what looks to be an Amazon package from the front porch of a home in the 500 block of Red Cloud Road.
"We try to watch out for that and to know that it was just a block away was disconcerting," said Dennis Gallagher, Paso Robles resident.
The theft happened in broad daylight at around 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Gallagher says he receives packages often and none have been swiped, but he’s taken measures just in case.
"Gratefully, technology has come so far that we have video cameras everywhere," Gallagher explained.
The homeowner in the most recent case had surveillance, too, which will make it easier for police to nab the thief.
"The resident was alerted to this theft by the Ring doorbell app on their phone which alerted them to the motion at their front door where they knew a package had been delivered," said Commander Tim Murphy, Paso Robles Police Department.
Commander Murphy says the increase in thefts may have to do with a surge in online shopping.
On average, U.S. families receive 27 packages per year.
According to the August Home Study, 11 million homeowners have had a package stolen in the last year.
"In our research, it does appear that some thieves, not all but some, may target the delivery drivers, meaning they’re following the delivery drivers around and they know when the packages are delivered," Murphy added.
He says that besides keeping a close eye on surveillance apps, it might also be a good idea to have your neighbor pick up your deliveries.
"We’re pretty vigilant, the neighbors that live here. We watch out for each other but it was only a block away so it’s pretty disturbing," Gallagher concluded.
Another tip from police is to make sure your trees and shrubs are cut back to make it harder for thieves to hide.
If you happen to recognize the thief, you’re asked to call police. You can remain anonymous.
