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Video captures man taking package from porch in West Palm Beach

Posted at 3:44 PM, Oct 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-12 04:38:44-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A man was caught on camera taking a package from a home in West Palm Beach.

Crystal clear surveillance video obtained by WPTV shows a man pacing back and forth on the pavement, then seconds later he pulls a package off the porch at Michel Thivierge's home.

"It looks like the person was probably expecting a camera because he covered his face with a towel and just threw something over his head,” said Thivierge, who noticed the man while scanning through his surveillance cameras.

The masked man made his move Tuesday afternoon on 32nd Street in Old Northwood. In the video, the man appears to be wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet. Police are now investigating the theft.

"Whoever stole it is going to be really disappointed when they open it up because it was a lamp, and we’re probably going to return it anyway so kind of ironic,” Thivierge said.

But the vice president of the Old Northwood Neighborhood Association says it is the second package theft in three days. "The good news is we have a pretty good backup with cameras and stuff to try and nail some of these guys, so hopefully that will curb it, said Matt Chambers.

As online sales increase, millions of Americans have fallen victim. Neighbors are now sharing the surveillance video and hoping the man is identified.

"I'm looking at some other cameras right now to see if we can catch him leaving that street with the package,” Chambers said.

These petty crimes increase around the holidays, but police are still warning online shoppers to be smart now. Schedule a delivery when you're at home, or have it delivered to your office. It’s also it's always good to require a signature upon delivery.