Police warn about package thefts during holiday season

By Erika Wurst For Chronicle Media

Christmas time brings a lot of residential package deliveries and police in the area are encouraging residents to take extra steps to prevent thefts.

Local police are warning residents to keep unattended packages off front porches following a rash of thefts that have occurred throughout the area.

The plea comes following the recent arrest of a 28-year-old man, who is facing two counts of felony theft for allegedly swiping packages from porches in Aurora.

The man, Moses Williamson, 1100 block of South Fourth St., Aurora was caught in an undercover operation staged by Aurora Community Policing Officers. Williamson was arrested around noon on Dec. 12 after officer who were tailing him allegedly saw him take packages off of front porches in the 100 block of North Root Street and in the first block of South Fourth Street.

According to Aurora Police Department spokesman Dan Ferrelli, police suspect Williamson is connected to several similar incidents.

He came to surface as a suspect following a Dec. 5 incident when an Aurora resident spotted someone allegedly committing thefts and captured a photo of the suspect’s license plate.

The vehicle being driven by Williamson when he was arrested was the same as in the photos taken by the witness, leading police to believe he may be involved in other incidents, Ferrelli said.

Please are applauding the witness and others who are coming forward to report suspicious activity.

Moses Williamson, 1100 block of South Fourth St., Aurora

An increasing number of witnesses are taking photos of suspicious people or vehicles before they call 911, Ferrelli said.

“(Police) say that, as long as witnesses don’t put themselves in danger when they see crimes being committed, the photos close the gap of response time because frequently, criminals have left the scene by the time police arrive. The pictures depict real-time proof of a crime being committed and offer valuable evidence from which leads can be quickly established,” Ferrelli said.

Aurora Police believe there may be several thieves pulling off similar crimes and plan on conducting additional undercover details through the holiday season in association with the delivery companies and the Postal Service.

Recent arrests have also been made regarding the theft of packages from homes in Joliet, Plainfield and Crest Hill.

In Kendall County, Sheriff Dwight Baird said residents have had more luck with their packages.

“We have not had any reports of packages being taken,” he said. “Obviously we’re aware of it and what’s going on around the area and we have patrol deputies looking for that.”

Oswego Police Chief Jeff Burgner said his officers have taken one report so far of the theft of an unattended package, and that they currently have no good leads.

Law enforcement officers from across the Fox Valley agree that it’s best to schedule the delivery of packages when you know someone will be home to receive them. Neighbors can also help each other keep a look out for packages that arrive without someone to bring them inside.

“I know some companies do allow mail to be delivered to the office, which is also a secure and convenient way of getting packages,” Baird said.

People can also take advantage of services offered by some delivery companies that include delivery time windows or package delivery notifications via text. Still others accept special instructions including delivery to a back porch.

“It’s nice that these guys are being caught and held accountable, but in law enforcement we look to minimize the possibility of a crime occurring, that means not leaving packages outside,” Baird said.

 

 

 

 

— Police warn about package thefts during holiday season —