RICHMOND, Va. -- In Richmond and surrounding counties some Christmas grinches are so brazen they are actually stealing packages right off your front doorstep.
In fact, one homeowner's security camera recently captured a man stealing boxes from of a home in the Randolph neighborhood.
Security camera catches man stealing packages.
"It's just awful... Hardworking people having things delivered to them and they expect to receive their package,” said Rita Williams, who lives a few blocks away from that home.
Williams said she was taken aback to learn someone would do something like that in her neighborhood.
"Very surprised because it's basically a close-knit neighborhood people look out for one another,” Williams said.
Rita Williams
Richmond police said that in some cases thieves have been following the delivery trucks, waiting a few minutes and then swooping in to take the packages.
WTVR CBS 6 reached out to delivery companies such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service about the reports.
The carriers said that consumers have options to prevent package thefts:
- Make sure to require a signature on all package deliveries
- You can also write specific instructions for the delivery company on where to leave your package
- And don't forget that you can always have your packages delivered to you at work
But if those packages end up in the wrong hands, here's what you should do:
- File a police report
- Give the delivery company your tracking number to verify the purchase
- Then file a claim with the delivery company
Man steals packages
As for who replaces those stolen packages? It's totally up to the retailer to make that decision.
If you order any products through Amazon, they will likely replace it. But will require that you get a signature on your next delivery.
