Watch Out For This Crook Swiping Packages From Porches Before The Holidays

Ah, the holidays! That time of year when we buy each other gifts and order a ton of crap on Amazon. The season when criminals come out of the woodwork and take advantage of our good will and holiday cheer.

Last December, we wrote about a woman who was caught on a security camera tailing a UPS truck in order to steal packages from homes as they were being delivered.

Well, it seems the seasonal crooks are at it again.

A man wearing an unfortunate purple tracksuit and matching hat was caught on film swiping a package from the Bay 37 Street home of our tipster, [redacted], last week.

[Redacted] was expecting a package on December 10, a small Kate Spade purse valued at $175. When she tracked the item, she realized that it had already been delivered, but was nowhere to be found. She then checked the surveillance camera at her home and watched a man walk into her foyer and steal her package minutes after it was left there.

[Redacted] told us she has reason to believe the package burglar had struck more than once.

“My husband spoke to our mail carrier about our stolen package a few days later and our carrier said he actually called the cops, because he felt he was being followed,” she said.

[Redacted] reported the incident to the 62nd Precinct, but said there seemed to be little they could do.

Here’s the full sized photo:

If you recognize the guy in the photo or have any more information regarding this incident, please contact (800) 577-TIPS (8477) or visit NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM.

Update (December 18, 12pm): We’ve redacted the name of the victim at her request to prevent retaliation by the package thief.