TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — With the rise of online shopping, especially during the holiday season, Indiana State Police is warning residents of porch pirates.
A porch pirate is someone who steals packages or gifts off of other people’s property.
It is almost impossible to catch the people responsible as they act when residents are away from their home.
Indiana State Police warn people of ordering packages to be dropped off while you are at work or away from home for extended periods of time.
They say that the best way to avoid this happening to you is requiring a signature before the box is left.
Public Information Officer for the Indiana State Police, Sgt. Matt Ames, says apartments are at the biggest risk.
“At apartments, people just open up the door, they put it there and it’s a free-for-all”, said Ames. “People going in and out of certain apartment complexes the entire time, and a lot of the time, we see packages being stolen there. Make sure that you are taking the opportunity to know where your package is at, as you can track it when it gets shipped from the shipper until it’s received on your front porch. If you can’t be there, have someone else such as your neighbor, a loved one, or a family member make sure that they can get that package off there as quickly as possible.”
Ames also mentions that installing cameras can be useful during this holiday season.
