Do Police Investigate Stolen Packages? And How to Report One
With online shopping at our fingertips, doorstep deliveries have become a daily occurrence for millions. As we hit buy, we wait eagerly for our packages to arrive and a growing concern is lurking behind our convenience – package theft. Porch pirates, as they’re called, strike when no one is looking. And with over 2 billion packages delivered in the US each year, it’s no wonder package theft reports are on the rise. If you’ve ever had a package go missing, you may have wondered, “Do police investigate stolen packages?” Let’s dive into the growing problem of package theft, what police can do, how to report it, and what preventative measures you can take to protect yourself.
What is Package Theft?
Package theft is when someone steals a package from your property – often right off your front door or porch. With online shopping and doorstep delivery on the rise, package theft is a growing issue.
The Growing Issue of Package Theft
As online shopping grows, so do the numbers on package theft. A recent study showed that over 210 million packages were stolen in 2022 in the US alone, with Amazon packages being the most popular target because of volume.
Holiday seasons—especially around Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas—see a surge in thefts as more packages are left unattended outside homes. For consumers, this means a loss of money and goods. For retailers and delivery companies, it means requests for refunds or replacements and additional costs.
Porch piracy affects individual customers but also puts pressure on logistics when combined with the rising cost of delivery and international shipping. Delivery companies offer tracking, but can’t guarantee the safety of packages once they’re left at your doorstep. So, both businesses and consumers feel the financial and emotional pinch of being a package theft victim.
Do Police Investigate Stolen Packages?
Yes, police do investigate stolen packages. But will your local police department prioritize the case? It depends.
Most police departments won’t consider package theft a high priority unless there’s evidence, like CCTV or multiple cases in the same area. Since these are property crimes, they get less attention than violent crimes. But if your package is worth a lot or it’s part of a crime wave, they’ll conduct a more thorough investigation.
And if you’re experiencing multiple stolen goods in a short time frame or your area has become a package theft hotspot, they may take action. For example, repeat offenders or high-value items will get them to review surveillance footage, question neighbors, and work with other departments to get suspects.
Factors Affecting the Investigation
Here are the factors that can influence whether the police will investigate your missing package:
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Available Evidence: If there’s clear security camera footage of a porch pirate, the police will be more likely to investigate. Other evidence like eyewitness accounts or detailed descriptions of suspicious activity can help too.
- Severity of the Crime: The value of the package matters. If the stolen items are of high value – whether monetary or sentimental – the police may dedicate more resources to the case for a deeper investigation.
- Police Resources: Many local police departments are stretched thin with other crimes. Depending on where you live and the availability of officers, package theft cases may take a backseat to more serious or pressing issues.
- Jurisdictional Issues: If multiple delivery services or a postal service is involved, it can add jurisdictional complexity. For example, USPS handles its own investigations, so local police may need to work with federal postal inspectors.
- Victim and Witness Willingness: The police will investigate more if victims and witnesses cooperate fully, and provide detailed accounts, tracking numbers, and security footage if available.
Challenges in Investigating Package Theft
Investigating stolen packages comes with several challenges. One of the biggest is the lack of evidence. Package thieves are fast, they swipe packages within minutes of delivery, leaving almost no trace behind. And since police have limited manpower and higher priority cases, they may not always allocate resources to small one-time incidents.
Another challenge is that package thieves often work anonymously, wearing masks, hats or other disguises to avoid being identified. Without solid leads, it’s hard for police to identify potential suspects even if there’s surveillance footage. And porch pirates move from one location to another, so it’s hard for law enforcement to track their movements or predict future thefts.
How to Report a Stolen Package
If you think your package was stolen, act fast. What happens when someone steals your package depends on how quickly you respond. Here’s how to file a police report and get your stolen goods back:
- Check Tracking: Make sure the package was actually delivered. Sometimes, tracking says "delivered" when it hasn’t arrived yet.
- Look Around Your Property: The package might be hidden behind bushes or in an unexpected spot.
- Contact the Delivery Service: Amazon drivers, UPS, FedEx, or USPS may have more delivery info. They can tell you where the package was left or if there was an issue with the delivery.
- Check Surveillance Footage: If you have a security camera or doorbell camera, review the footage to see if you can catch the thief. This is key evidence when filing your police report.
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Contact Your Local Police: File a police report online or in person. Be prepared with:
- Tracking number (including the name of the intended recipient)
- Order confirmation
- Proof of value (receipt, invoice)
- Any CCTV footage
- Details of the theft (time, date, location)
- Tell the Retailer: Many companies like Amazon have policies for lost or stolen packages. They may give you a refund or replacement if you report it fast.
What Happens When You Report Package Theft?
Once you’ve reported the stolen package to the police, the investigation begins. Here’s what happens:
- Initial Review: The police will decide if there’s enough to go on to pursue the case. They may ask for your CCTV footage or ask neighbors if they saw anything suspicious.
- Collaboration: The police will work with other agencies, like postal inspectors or neighborhood watch if your case is part of a bigger trend of package thefts in the area.
- Ongoing Investigation: Depending on the evidence and resources, police may continue to track suspects or patrol areas where package thieves are known to operate. But in many cases, unless they have a solid lead, the investigation will be limited to prevention rather than actively pursuing the thief.
How to Prevent Package Theft
While no solution is foolproof, there are several effective ways to prevent package theft from happening to you:
- Use Secure Delivery Options: Services like Amazon Locker or delivery to a secure location can keep your package safe until you can pick it up.
- Install Security Cameras: A visible security camera or video doorbell can deter thieves and provide crucial evidence if a theft does occur.
- Utilize Package Receiving Services: Companies now offer services to receive packages on your behalf and keep them secure until you can collect them.
- Schedule Deliveries: Whenever possible, schedule deliveries for times when someone will be home to collect the package.
FAQ
What happens if you lie about a stolen package?
Lying about a stolen package can lead to criminal charges for fraud or theft. Always be truthful when filing reports.
How do I prove my package was stolen?
Provide surveillance footage, tracking information, and details from neighbors or witnesses to support your claim.
Do people get caught stealing packages?
Yes, some package thieves are caught through surveillance footage or police investigations, though it depends on the evidence.
How often are package thieves caught?
Unfortunately, package thieves are caught less frequently than other criminals due to limited evidence and quick, discreet thefts.
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