Austin police are looking for a man they say casually walked up to the front doors in East Austin, scooped up packages in broad daylight, and took off, including a theft around 10:10 a.m. on Dec. 27 in the 7800 block of Saddle Up Drive. Detectives have pushed out still images and surveillance video as part of a renewed appeal tied to the holiday-era thefts.
APD Shares Surveillance Footage In Daytime Theft Case
In a Feb. 12 press release, the Austin Police Department said Criminal Investigation Division detectives are asking the public to help identify the person seen in surveillance video and photos tied to case 25-9034680. The agency notes that footage was provided to investigators and lists the incident as occurring on Dec. 27 at about 10:10 a.m. in the 7800 block of Saddle Up Drive, according to a City of Austin press release. The release directs residents to an APD YouTube clip that shows the suspected theft pattern.
Suspect Description And Vehicle
Police say the man repeatedly approached front doors wearing a glow vest and looking down at his phone before picking up packages and walking away. FOX 7 Austin published photos and a summary of the department's description.
The suspect is described as Middle Eastern, 30 to 50 years old, about 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall and roughly 150 pounds. He was last seen in a black T-shirt, black athletic shorts, black slide sandals, and a green North Texas hat worn backwards. APD says he may be driving a black Chevrolet Equinox, model years 2018 to 2022, with dark rims and heavy window tint.
Why Porch Pirates Keep Striking
Porch piracy has been a recurring headache for Austin-area residents during the holidays and well beyond, and research suggests plenty of incidents never make it into official reports. A SafeWise analysis and local reporting placed Texas metros among the worst in the country for package theft, while legal scholarship notes that many victims skip filing police reports because retailers often reimburse their losses. That underreporting can make investigations and prosecutions tougher to pursue. The Current and academic analysis from the Houston Law Review details those trends.
How To Report Tips And Protect Your Packages
Anyone who recognizes the person in the video or has relevant footage is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Capital Area Crime Stoppers at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477. Police also encourage victims to file a report with APD and consider using the Postal Service's missing-mail resources or a carrier claim. The USPS explains how to search for missing mail and start a claim on its site. APD's tip page lists local reporting options and hotlines for residents.
Legal Consequences
Under Texas law, stealing mail and packages falls under Penal Code Section 31.20, which classifies offenses from misdemeanors to felonies, largely depending on how many different addresses are affected and whether identifying information or negotiable instruments are taken. The statute, updated by H.B. 37, means porch piracy can bring significantly steeper penalties when multiple victims or identity-related items are involved. Details are outlined in the Texas Penal Code.
