MIAMI SHORES, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are on the lookout for a man who is dressing up as a delivery person and driving around in what looks like a delivery van to steal packages.
Surveillance footage of a real delivery man next to footage of the suspect dressed as one are nearly identical; both drove white vans and wore fluorescent safety vests, but one was actually delivering packages, while the other was stealing them from the front doors of Miami Shores homes.
Video shows a delivery man dropping off two packages at a Miami Shores home, shortly after 11:24 a.m., Aug. 23. Then, just after 11:40 a.m., another man pulled up to the same home and took the packages.
“Extremely brazen, in broad daylight,” Miami Shores Police Detective Paul Cozzola said. “It seems that this gentleman went to some length, with the white work van and the traffic vest, to conceal his true intentions of what he was doing in the neighborhood.”
Cozzola said the suspect was clearly scoping out the neighborhood for homes that had packages on the front porch.
“He does drive by one time, turns around, comes back and goes to this specific home,” Cozzola said, “so, clearly, the first time he drove by, he did see the package on the porch.”
The case came to the Miami Shores Police Department’s attention after customers complained about packages not arriving after companies got confirmation they were delivered. Police believe the thief is likely behind several similar thefts.
Cozzola said residents could avoid such thefts by finding another place to get their packages delivered.
“You could deliver to your place of work or maybe even find another area in your house that’s a little bit more secluded that you want your packages delivered at,” Cozzola said.
The homeowner, who did not want to be identified, said the surveillance video from her home should be enough to catch the thief.
“It certainly didn’t seem like his first time, and even though what they took really was of no value, but we were just hoping this would be helpful,” she said.
Cozzola said the footage is very helpful.
“It’s important. We rely on the public to help us out with our investigations, and somebody knows who this gentleman is,” he said.
If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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