Police Department

Package Theft Arrests

Julie Humphreys, Public Safety Communication Manager, 509.625.5868

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7:54 a.m.

SPD SPEAR Team has success with holiday package theft operation

The holidays have come and gone, but SPD’s work to catch people stealing packages from your porch has not.  The increased number of packages delivered for the Christmas season provided thieves with an increased opportunity to steal those packages.  It also prompted a concerted effort by SPD’s Stolen Property Enforcement and Recovery Unit (SPEAR) to curb this criminal activity.   

Over the holidays, the SPEAR team initiated a program to identify and arrest people stealing packages from porches.  SPD opened an album on our Facebook page featuring surveillance video images from citizens, of people taking packages from porches.  The result was nine people arrested for package theft, including a number of people charged with multiple thefts over different days.  This enforcement not only resulted in arrests for theft of packages, it also yielded felony charges for an arrest related to a stolen motor vehicle. Additionally, SPEAR began a “bait” package program that is proving  successful in tracking stolen packages and making arrests.

Unfortunately, porch piracy is not just limited to the holiday season.  SPD is continuing its package theft emphasis in the new year, including Facebook posts in the album titled “help us identify”,  where community members can provide police information that may help identify a package thief.  SPD appreciates tips provided by community members thus far, as it takes neighbors watching out for one another to make a difference.  Just a reminder, if you are a victim of a package theft to please call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 or report the theft at spokane911.com.

• Newer
• Older