We’ve taken two reports of packages being swiped from front porches in recent days and thought it would be a good idea to remind you of how not to be victimized by these types of crimes.Just like reducing burglaries from motor vehicles, take the opportunity away from thieves by scheduling any package deliveries for times when someone is home to accept them or asking a trusted neighbor to receive the merchandise. You can also take advantage of services offered by some delivery companies that include delivery time windows or package delivery notifications via text. Still others accept special instructions including delivery to a back porch.
Other tips include:
• Having packages delivered to your place of employment instead of your home.
• Ask about alternative pickup and delivery options. For example, in some areas, UPS, FedEx and the Postal Service can deliver your packages to a local access point such as a grocery or convenience store. More information is available on each service’s website.
One of the most important suggestions is to keep an eye out for suspicious persons or behaviors in your neighborhood and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Pay special attention to when a delivery truck is in your area. Many thieves follow these trucks and steal packages within minutes of their delivery. If you see something suspicious, call 911 immediately.
If possible and it doesn’t put you in danger, try to take a video or picture of any suspicious persons or vehicles with your cell phone. These types of videos and photos close the gap of our response time because frequently, criminals have left the scene by the time we arrive. The pictures and videos depict real-time proof of a crime being committed and offer valuable evidence from which leads can be quickly established. Never attempt to intervene or apprehend a criminal yourself.
The recent thefts include over $1900 in electronics taken between 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. May 8 from a home in the 2700 block of Nicole Ci.; and over $125 in clothing items stolen from a home in the 300 block of S. Gladstone sometime on May 10..
There is no suspect description in either incident.
If you have any information, please call our Investigations Division at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.
