Dec 18, 2007 11:49 pm US/Eastern
Holiday Thieves Target Home Deliveries
Opportunist Robbers Follow Carriers, Steal Delivered Items
WESTCHESTER, N.Y. (CBS) ―
Online buyers beware! Your holiday packages, so conveniently delivered to your front door, are ripe for the picking. In Westchester County, at least a dozen people have had their holiday deliveries stolen, most often, from their front steps.
With a rash of thefts across the county, Thomas Carson, a Fed Ex employee, is doing what he can to make sure holiday packages stay where he leaves them.
CBS 2 followed Thomas on his route through Eastchester. More often than not, no one was home to answer the deliveryman's knock, forcing Carson to leave the recipients' packages in places easily accessible to thieves. Their tactics: Follow and grab what carriers leave behind.
"They follow you. They follow you around, they see you leave a package at the door and they swipe them," said another Fed Ex employee, Mike Niles.
According to police, neighborhoods in Eastchester have been the hardest hit. Not surprisingly, CBS 2 found packages left unattended at various homes in the residential district. One homeowner, Ed Beankie, was surprised when CBS 2 knocked on his door to inform him he had several packages sitting out in the snow.
"It is a good thing that you rang the doorbell for me. I had forgotten about these." Beankie called CBS 2's visit to his Marbeldale Road home an eye opener. He had no idea gifts were sitting there. It is most often during these lapses when the thieves strike. "I have to be more conscious of watching for packages, we all do."
A good idea considering thieves are targeting homes from Eastchester to White Plains.
"I think that it is pretty nervy. People are generally up and down the street, so I wouldn't think that someone would walk up and do something," said Geretta Crab.
It is precisely that complacency that allows thieves the window of opportunity to strike.
With thousands of packages being left at front doors, carriers are advising you to beware. Fed Ex officials recommend communicating with your driver to establish a place to leave the packages if you are unable to be at home at the time of delivery.
While yesterday was the busiest shipping day across the country, Wednesday will be the biggest delivery day. If you are expecting something for the holidays, be attentive.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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