EASTPOINTE, Mich. (WXYZ) — Porch pirates target homes throughout the year, but especially during the holidays as online shopping increases during the gift-giving season.
A good Samaritan caught two thieves in the act in Eastpointe.
On Monday, police say two porch pirates targeted a package at a home on Tuscany Avenue. We’re told an alert neighbor saw a man take it and get into a car driving off with another man, so he followed them.
“Doing a good deed, good citizen put himself in harm's way,” said Eastpointe Police Det. Lt. Matthew Merlo.
Police say the good Samaritan followed the two until they pulled off to the side. That’s when he confronted them, asking to give the package back.
“(They) handed it to him and asked him not to call the police on them,” Det. Lt. Merlo said.
The good Samaritan tried to return the package to the address, but when no one answered he gave it to police. Charles Albaugh just moved to Tuscany Avenue a month ago and was shocked to hear about the porch pirate attempt.
He wants to know why.
“I realize a lot of people are hurting but that’s not the way to do it,” he said. “Maybe they wanted a present for their kid or something too, or maybe they just need it to sell it for food.”
Police tell us the same two porch pirates may have stolen another package later that same day on Tuscany Avenue between Stephens Drive and 10 Mile Road.
Albaugh says he is considering buying a doorbell camera, but until then he has his four-legged friend as an alarm.
“He let’s me know if you’re even on the porch, I swear,” he said.
Police have a vague description of the suspects as two white males in their early 20s driving an older model white Pontiac.
If you have any information, Eastpointe police at (586) 445-8957.
