A Washington, D.C. man with a history of theft has been hit with enhanced charges after he was caught red-handed swiping packages off a porch, authorities said. Demetrius Hamm, 55, snagged three counts of felony second-degree theft on March 6, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The indictment came after Hamm was busted by cops in Northwest DC for lifting goods from someone's steps on January 30.
Facing the judge for arraignment, Hamm, who was quickly located and arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department after the theft, has another hearing slated for March 19. Because Hamm’s rap sheet includes at least two prior theft convictions, his latest alleged plunder comes with a heavy price — a mandatory minimum of one year behind bars for each theft count he's now facing.
The theft took place in broad daylight, with Hamm accused of helping himself to multiple parcels outside an unwary resident's home. Reflecting a citywide crackdown on such crimes, Hamm's indictment adds to the tally of 31 similar cases charged with felony second-degree theft by the district's U.S. Attorney’s Office since September 1, 2023.
Prosecuting such property crimes, the case against Hamm is led by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Yee Yee Myint, who collaborated with the Metropolitan Police Department in nabbing the alleged serial thief. Authorities hope that Hamm’s case, and others like it, will deter would-be package pilferers from preying on unattended deliveries, with Hamm facing the potential of long-term jail stints as a part of the crackdown.
