Police warn Alameda residents to be aware of porch pirates

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ALAMEDA — Police here are warning residents that some people posing as utility workers and wearing fluorescent clothing actually are package thieves.

The department posted a video on its Facebook page last week showing a package theft in progress along with three suspects. At least one was wearing fluorescent clothing similar to those worn by utility workers.

In the video, the suspects give inconsistent answers to a police officer’s questions and drive away, ignoring the officer’s orders to stop. Police located the suspects and identified the vehicle as a stolen one.

According to police, thieves have been following delivery vans and looking for unattended packages left by those trucks. The thefts often have been happening during the day when nobody is home.

Police urged residents to make sure they are available when packages are delivered and to track them. They also said it would not be a bad idea to have packages delivered to a resident’s place of employment.

Another solution, police said: Ask a neighbor who’s trusted to collect mail and packages when you’re away from home.

“The success of the Alameda Police Department is enhanced by the active involvement of the community,” the department wrote in its post. “We cannot stress enough the importance of reporting suspicious behavior to help officers prevent or interrupt a potential crime – especially porch pirates.”