Thread: Scrooges Swipe Christmas Gifts From Aquebogue Porch

Scrooges Swipe Christmas Gifts From Aquebogue Porch

• By Lisa Finn
• December 5, 2012

Brazen thieves stole the boxes in broad daylight, police said.

Two sticky-fingered Scrooges paid a visit to an Aquebogue home a few weeks short of Christmas -- and stole the presents right off the front porch.

Aquebogue resident Brenda Green, who lives on Edgar Avenue, near the Aquebogue Elementary school, said on Tuesday, her 15-year-old daughter came home from school and noticed four packages on the front porch.

Her daughter, who was home alone, did not bring the packages inside immediately, Green said. Approximately 45 minutes later, her daughter looked out the window and saw an old blue station wagon pulling into the driveway.

Suspects ran to the porch, grabbed the packages, which contained Christmas presents, and sped away, Green said.
Riverhead Town police confirmed that on Tuesday at 3:28 p.m., two unknown middle-aged women removed several packages from Green's porch and left the area in an unknown blue station wagon.

The experience, Green said, has put a damper on her family's holiday spirit. "It was very scary. My daughter was definitely shaken by it."
On the upside, for every Grinch, there is a Good Samaritan, Green said. After contacting the post office, proof of delivery for three out of the four packages was tracked down -- and two of the three companies from which she had ordered the holiday gifts have refunded her account in full.

Green said she was shocked by the culprits' brazen attitude. "My house is right near the elementary school. There were buses rolling by."

The incident led Green to warn her friends and neighbors to bring their packages inside.

"I'm having my packages delivered to my office and my neighbor's house now," she said. "So sad. Watch your Christmas deliveries."
The incident was the second reported theft of packages from a residence in two days: According to Suffolk County Police, two men were arrested for stealing packages from residential doorsteps on Tuesday.

According to police, an off-duty New York State Trooper allegedly spotted Albert Munoz and Freddy Benavides,Jr. stealing a package from the doorstep of a home in Bay Shore. The trooper called Suffolk County Police; third precinct patrol officer Arthur Martrano arrested Munoz and Benavides at 3:15 p.m. when the suspects pulled into the United States Post Office in Bay Shore.

Further investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly following a UPS truck around the Bay Shore area and stole the packages after they were left on the doorsteps, police said. An Apple EarPod, Apple iPad Mini case, and two pairs of Skechers sneakers were reportedly recovered.

Munoz, 21, of Bay Shore, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana. Benavides, 20, of Brentwood, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree.

Munoz was slated for arraignment in Central Islip Wednesday. Benavides was issued a desk appearance ticket and will be arraigned at a later date.

​http://riverhead.patch.com/articles/scrooges-swipe-christmas-gifts-from-aquebogue-porch

2 Men Accused Of Tailing UPS Truck, Stealing Holiday Packages From Long Island Homes

Police: Suspects Stole Apple Products, Sneakers From Bay Shore Doorsteps

December 5, 2012 6:41 PM



Albert Munoz and Freddy Benavides Jr. (credit: Suffolk County Police)

BAY SHORE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Police have arrested two men for allegedly stealing packages from the doorsteps of homes on Long Island.

Albert Munoz, 21, and Freddy Benavides, Jr., 20, had been following a UPS truck Tuesday and stealing packages after they were dropped off, police said.

An off-duty New York State Trooper called police after he spotted the suspects stealing a package from a home in Bay Shore, police said. They were then followed to a post office, where police say they may have been planning to trail a postal truck next, CBS 2′s Carolyn Gusoff reported.

Police said it’s a familiar scenario. Holiday gifts left unattended are an easy score for thieves looking to cash in on cyber gift buying.

An Apple EarPod, Apple iPad Mini case, and two pairs of Skechers sneakers were recovered, police said.

Munoz and Benavides have been charged with criminal possession of stolen property. Munoz faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of marijuana.
Munoz will be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Central Islip. Benavides was issued a desk appearance ticket and will be arraigned at a later date.

To prevent package theft, police said to tell the sender to:* Require a signature* Ship the package to your workplace if you know you won’t be home* For pricey purchases, have it held for pick up

And according to UPS you can request that all future packages are left out of sight, like at a back door. You can track your packages online to get a two- to four-hour window of a delivery time.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/12/05/2-men-accused-of-stealing-packages-from-doorsteps-of-bay-shore-homes/

Holiday Packages Stolen In New Haven

A thief was caught by a neighbor stealing packages that were left on a doorstep in New Haven. Police say this type of crime is on the rise given the prevalence of online shopping. They say you should make sure and elect to sign on deliver of any package or go to the local distribution center and pick it up.


WATCH VIDEO AT LINK.
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Holiday-Packages-Stolen-In-New-Haven_Hartford.html

Be cautious and protect your Christmas gift this year!!