MIAMI LAKES, FLA. (WSVN) - A man stole two packages from the front porch of a home, Monday, but the homeowner has surveillance footage of the theft.
The surveillance footage shows a man approaching the home just after noon, Monday, and taking two packages. Those packages were Christmas gifts for the family’s children.
Kevin Correa, who lives near the Miami Lakes home, said the thieves just take packages and drive off. “They see the car, and once they drop it off, they just take it and leave,” he said.
During the holiday season, thieves will drive around and look for packages sitting in front of homes. It’s called “porch poaching,” and with 750 billion packages being delivered this year, there are plenty of targets.
Another neighbor, Steve Jenkins, asked how someone could steal Christmas gifts. “My goodness, you’re taking some child’s present,” he said. “How heartless can you get?”
U.S. Postal Service Inspector Ivan Ramirez told 7News earlier this month that special police officers are on the road looking for these package thieves.
RELATED: Postal Inspectors on the lookout for package thieves during holidays
“We’re out there. We’re roaming the streets in unmarked vehicles, ” Ramirez said. “The average consumer or customer will not know that we’re out there, but we are because we’re making sure that, not only our carriers are safe, but of course, you get a safe delivery of your package.”
The Postal Service urges customers to have packages shipped to work, sent to a neighbor or relative, or have them held at the post office.
Ramirez said that if package thieves are caught, they’ll face serious charges. “But anything that you steal from the Postal Service, whether it’s already been delivered to someone’s porch or it’s actually out of the service itself, you’re facing a federal penalty,” Ramirez said.
Correa believes the thief’s actions will eventually come back to haunt him. “Karma’s going to get him back,” he said. “They’re slick, and that’s something they shouldn’t be doing around here, especially in this neighborhood.”
If you have any information on this theft, 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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