Richmond PD: “Porch Poacher” caught on camera stealing package

RICHMOND, Ky. (WTVQ)- Sheriff’s deputies are looking for a woman after she was caught on camera, taking packages from someone’s front porch.

It happened on Parke Drive, Wednesday. Clear surveillance video from the homeowner show a red car pulling up into the driveway, the woman getting out and taking the package before getting back into the red car and driving off.

Deputies say the homeowner doesn’t know the woman and hadn’t make arrangement for someone to pick up the package which the sheriff’s office says was a Christmas gift. Deputies do say that these types of crimes are occurring more regularly around the holidays due, in part, to the popularity of online shopping and gift delivery.

Susan Wright, Customer Relations Coordinator at Lexington’s USPS says the postal service expects a 10% increase in shipping this year. “So we’re cautioning customers about what we’re calling ‘porch poaching’ and that is having their packages taken from their front porches,” she says.

There are many tips to avoid becoming a “porch poaching” victim, Wright says, like having your items shipped to work or to a relatives home where it’ll be received quicker. There are many other tips the USPS offers as well on its website, https://www.usps.com/manage/welcome.htm.

Madison County deputies ask, if you know anything about this case, give them a call at (859) 623-1511.