Police warn about porch pirates stealing packages in Nassau County
MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. -- Porch pirates are busy at work in Nassau County. They've recently swiped thousands of dollars worth of expensive mobile devices.
Victims told CBS New York on Tuesday they swoop in minutes after the pricey packages are delivered.
A Wantagh homeowner said it can't be a coincidence. As seen on video, four minutes after FedEx delivered three new iPhones, a thief walked up to the porch and brazenly stole the box.
"Three brand-spanking-new 15 iPhones," Fern Avana said. "Definitely an inside job. He had to have known that it was something, a phone. It wasn't a marked package."
READ MORE: New law in New Jersey targets "porch pirates" who snatch packages from outside homes
In nearby Massapequa Park, the same thing has happened over and over again. Nassau police say six times in 11 days mobile devices were stolen right after a FedEx delivery.
"It was literally four minutes after they delivered the iPhone," a resident named Jay said.
Police released images of the porch pirates, who appear to work as pair. One of the suspects, who has a neck tattoo, was caught on camera.
Victims said they were not on the hook for the cost, but only after days of red tape. One Massapequa man had an iPad stolen.
"It was a mess. It was definitely frustrating," he said.
FLASHBACK: Westchester County Police Department getting creative in fight against porch pirates
When shipping items pricey items, safety expert Rebecca Edwards, with the website safewise.com, offered a recommendation.
"When you're picking your delivery options you can have that insured, and if you can't, I would strongly recommend choosing a credit card that is going to offer that backup, require a signature at delivery. In fact, this is the third-most common thing New Yorkers are doing to protect their packages," Edwards said.
They are also using porch lockers and package locker services, like Amazon offers. Edwards says carriers are becoming more proactive, leading to a slight dip this year in what is a multi-billion-dollar annual crime.
"Porch pirates are getting savvy, but we are also getting better at preventing them and not giving them the opportunity," Edwards said.
Several states are enacting tougher penalties for porch pirates, but it's still not a federal crime, like it is to steal U.S. mail, and even those crimes are rarely prosecuted.
"We are all paying it in the long run, I guess. That's the whole problem," Jay from Massapequa Park said.
Americans lost more than 260 million packages to theft last year, costing on average $59 each.
Nassau's Crimes Stoppers is offering a reward for any information leading to arrests in these recent cases. Please call 1-800-244-TIPS. All tips can be made anonymously.
