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Surveillance video shows Livonia homeowner catching package thief in the act

Posted at 4:28 PM, Dec 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-01 16:28:57-05

It is something we've been talking about a lot this week: stolen packages.

Thieves hit a neighborhood in Livonia Thursday -- but their plans were foiled after the homeowner caught them in the act.

Police tell us, every December this is a problem because more and more people are online shopping.

In this case, the homeowner caught the thieves trying to steal her boxes but they were unsuccessful.

Captain Robert Nenciarini said, "This is a huge problem for us that we don't want to see this continue."

The thief and his partner behind the wheel tried snatching a few boxes from the porch.

"People are driving by and seeing them and deciding to take them."

This happened in a neighborhood near Farmington and Schoolcraft roads Thursday afternoon.

In the video, you can see the thieves pulling up to the driveway as the passenger hops out and tries to take the boxes. The homeowner sees him and opens the door, chasing the crook away.

She didn't want to talk to 7 Action News on camera, but said she was heading to the door thinking someone was delivering more packages. Dog food and kitty litter were in the boxes.

"That's what the boxes even marked. It would lead you to believe that it was some type of pet supplies."

Captain Nenciarini says it doesn't seem to matter what's inside the box.

"They will try to sell it online. They will try to pawn it, they will trade it."

Police tell us the thieves struck another nearby house around the same time. They're investigating this incident with the help of surveillance cameras.

Police are telling folks who don't have one at their home to put that on their Christmas wish list.

"The price is coming down so much and it's so easy to operate that yes, it's a great idea," he said.

Police say they take stolen packages very seriously and have stepped neighborhood patrols to prevent this type of theft.