Caught-on-camera package theft prompts holiday advisory from Burnaby police
Mounties in Burnaby are reminding the public to be proactive in protecting packages they plan to get delivered to their homes over the holiday season.
Following the recovery of a recently stolen stroller, RCMP said in a news release Thursday that the holiday season historically brings an increase in thieves targeting unattended deliveries.
Officials said that on Nov. 24 an Amazon package containing a stroller worth more than $1,500 was stolen from the front doorstep of a home in Surrey.
The theft was caught on security camera and the video showed a vehicle with its trunk already open pulling up to the doorstep where the large box was sitting.
Within moments, a woman from the vehicle can be seen grabbing the package and jamming it into the car. The suspect’s face and car’s license plate were not clearly captured in the video.
The next day, police said, the victim of the theft noticed what she believed to be the same stroller for sale on an online marketplace.
The woman contacted police, who determined the listing was based in Burnaby.
On Nov. 26, officers conducted a search warrant at the suspect’s home and recovered the stroller, along with a stolen Mercedes Benz that had been used in the theft.
Officials said the suspect, who was known to police, was arrested for possession of stolen property, dangerous driving, breach of conditions and on an unrelated warrant.
Police are still looking to identify the woman in the video, adding that she has tattoos on both her hands.
“Our Prolific Offender Suppression Team worked quickly and was thankfully successful in being able to reunite the victim with her stolen stroller,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj with Burnaby RCMP in the news release. “In this case, even a security camera system wasn’t enough to deter thieves. We are urging everyone to take precautions with deliveries over the holidays.”
In order to help prevent future thefts, Burnaby RCMP’s Crime Prevention Unit is providing tips on how people can protect their deliveries from what are commonly referred to as “porch pirates”:
- Get your packages delivered to a secure pickup location, such as a locker, that some online retailers provide
- Install visible security cameras on your property
- Require a signature upon delivery for important or expensive items
- Consider sending some packages to your workplace instead of home
- Get a lockbox for your home to protect deliveries
“Even small steps can make a big difference in protecting packages from holiday Grinches that want to put your hard-earned holiday purchases under their own tree,” said Kalanj.
Anyone who is a victim of package theft in the Burnaby area is asked to report the incident to police at 604-646-9999.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.