Residents of Watertown, Massachusetts, have been advised to stay vigilant following a series of package thefts that have rattled the local community. According to NBC Boston, these incidents began last week and authorities believe they are connected, possibly perpetrated by the same individual.
Watertown Police provided a description of the suspect, a man believed to be between 20 to 30 years old, around 5 foot 8 inches tall, with a beard, possibly operating a blue van. In one of the reported thefts, captured by a Ring doorbell camera on Purvis Street, this individual casually approached a porch, took a package, and left the scene with it, NBC Boston detailed.
Further intrigue surrounds these events as one alleged thief not only tailgated a FedEx truck but also feigned residence at homes to intercept packages upon delivery. "Hey, he doesn't live here, that's not his package!" Lela Glikes exclaimed from her window when witnessing the suspect's audacious ploy at her Emerson Road home, as explained in an interview with WBZ. Her quick reaction, though, did not prevent the thief from fleeing in his vehicle with her $400 Verizon internet hotspot.
Watertown Police have yet to catch the suspects involved, who are not always alone, driving a blue minivan with temporary New Jersey plates, as victims told WBZ. The targeted nature of the thefts, with the suspect allegedly spotting certain packages to steal, is particularly unnerving for residents. "Easy, petty theft that's almost victimless," Ben Davini said, having his phone package stolen, indicating a sense of relative violation that these incidents carry within the community. Susan Toland, who suspects a package missing from her stoop, added to the concern, "It's awful because you know this is a nice neighborhood... I've just never heard of it happening but lately I have," as she told WBZ.
Anyone with information about these package thefts or who recognizes the individual described by the Watertown Police Department is encouraged to contact local authorities to assist in the ongoing investigation.
