MUSKEGON, Mich. — Muskegon resident Scotty Killion sent video to 13 ON YOUR SIDE showing two people walking up to their porch just moments after a large package was delivered, and then walking away with it.
The video captured on Monday evening shows UPS delivering a package and then driving away. Two people then approach the home from the direction the truck came. The family said the large white box the two people carried away was a variety pack of Omaha Steaks sent by loved ones as a Christmas gift.
A gift that can range from $200 to $400.
The family said they did not know the gift was taken until they received a call from loved ones wanting to know if they had received it.
This incident occured the same week as three men were arrested in Kent County for allegedly stealing packages from nine homes in a single night in a Cannon Twp. neighborhood.
"This is on the suspects, taking advantage of folks, and so we just want to be out there as much as we can to try to prevent whatever he can through proactive patrol, but really, we need the community's help when they see something suspicious, say something," said Sergeant Eric Brunner from the Kent County Sheriff's Office after the arrest of the three suspects in Cannon Twp.
Police said package theft is a crime of opportunity, and that while porch pirates may take advantage of the large amounts of deliveries for the holidays, GRPD said it is a year-round issue with package thefts increasing from 18 instances in October to 22 in December.
Muskegon Police said their numbers are in line with last year and have not seen a noticeable increase.
"If you're not at home, getting it delivered at the back porch of your house or the side of your house, somewhere that's secure," Austin Stowe, an Amazon spokesperson, said when asked what tips Amazon had for customers to prevent their packages from being stolen.
Amazon said they are taking steps to help customers try and prevent falling victim to porch pirates, with app features such as map tracking your delivery, and being able to set up delivery for a specific location.
"If you're actually not at your house, there's a couple of different options as well. So what you can do is you can get your package delivered to a secure site, whether that be an Amazon locker, or you could actually get packages delivered to Whole Foods to be picked up, and we have thousands of different partners that we work with for secure drop off and pickup locations," said Stowe.
For Amazon Prime members, Amazon is also offering the option for packages to be delivered inside your garage, with what they describe as a secure way for drivers to open and close your garage and providing photo proof that an order was delivered.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and on your phone.