Eagan Woman Helps Police Solve Package Thefts
EAGAN (WCCO) -- An Eagan woman said she helped tip off police to a newspaper delivery person who kept stealing her packages.
"They're delivering a paper and taking my stuff at the same," said Susan Gudenkauf. "I absolutely feel violated for 10 months. I've been livid, absolutely just crazy wondering what's happening."
It started months ago when Gudenkauf noticed a Christmas present for her brother-in-law didn't turn up.
"Then, in July, I noticed another package was missing," said Gudenkauf. "And then I had a birthday and my friend said she sent me flowers that were also missing."
Gudenkauf said that's when she noticed a pattern. Most days the paper was delivered in the driveway or yard, but she said, when she was expecting a package, she would get front door delivery.
"I started writing it all down and thinking something's wrong," said Gudenkauf. "This is a lot of packages and then I noticed packages were missing on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Those are the days we get our paper delivered!"
Gudenkauf took her evidence to the Eagan Police Department.
So, Eagan Police set up an undercover operation Thursday morning. That's where a newspaper delivery person, identified by police as Angelique Smith, took bait packages from the Gudenkauf's porch after delivering the paper.
The Pioneer Press confirms Smith worked for a contractor as a delivery person.
WCCO-TV tried knocking on the door of Smith's last known address, but no one was home.
The Pioneer Press told WCCO-TV that Smith is no longer employed by their contractor, so she will have no reason to return to that neighborhood.
Smith is expected to be formally charged Friday.
