HAMLET — With Christmastime approaching, many Richmond County residents are ordering gifts online and having them delivered by mail or parcel service.
Police warn that these packages could be stolen by “porch pirates.”
According to C+R Research, 36% of the 2,000 people surveyed said they had a package stolen, 56% knew someone who had a package stolen and 31% said a neighbor’s package was stolen.
“With one single package potentially containing hundreds of dollars worth of goods, package thieves, or ‘porch pirates,’ see an Amazon box as a ripe opportunity to steal,” the research company says.
Of those who had stolen package, C+R says only 13 percent contacted police immediately, where as 83% contacted the seller (Amazon in many cases).
Although only 11% of the “porch pirates” were caught, C+R says 73% of the victims received a refund.
Capt. Randy Dover of the Hamlet Police Department encourages residents to take precautions to prevent becoming victims of theft.
“If you know you have packages coming, have a friend or neighbor pick them up” if you know you won’t be home, Dover said.
He added that anyone who sees an unfamiliar vehicle riding back and forth in the neighborhood should call their responding law enforcement agency or 911.
So far, there have been no reports of stolen packages filed with the Hamlet or Rockingham police departments or the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Dover said police in Hamlet will be stepping up patrols in neighborhoods to try to deter criminals.
Noting the recent reported vehicle break-ins in Rockingham, Dover also urged all Richmond County residents to make sure their doors are locked at night.
