Holiday thieves target porches with packages

William Grimes/Wikimedia Commons

The holiday season is a time for joy and giving, but theres a Grinch in one Wisconsin town stealing gifts.

The Dane County Sheriffs Office said it has had two reports of thieves targeting packages left on porches this week in the town of Albion, where some residents worry theyll be next.

Its a shame that people do that, Arin Smithback said. Its ridiculous that people take from one another.

Smithback wonders if his family has also fallen victim.

My mom is waiting on a package and it hasnt come yet and shes apparently been tracking it, but she doesnt know where it is, Smithback said.

The Christmas present is already five days late, but when something like this happens, it might never show up. And consumers are held accountable. The UPS store in Middleton recognizes the brazen trend.

Weve heard stories of people, this time of year especially, trailing UPS trucks, Fed-Ex trucks, U.S. Postal trucks in neighborhoods, UPS Spokesman Keith Johnston said.

In fact, this week, a New York City homeowner caught that same crime on his security camera. To avoid it, Johnston recommends wrapping gifts in a generic box, consider having a trustworthy neighbor keep an eye out for the package or having to sign for a delivery can ensure it gets to the appropriate person.

Its worth it for a couple of bucks to make sure and have the peace-of-mind its delivered safely, said Johnston.

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Holiday thieves target porches with packages