PINECREST, Fla. – Police in Miami-Dade County are searching for a porch pirate who stole from a South Florida firefighter.
“You feel like someone has invaded your privacy when they walk right up to your front door and steal something,” said firefighter Donovan Cluff.
And most unnerving is that it happened in broad daylight on Monday as Cluff’s wife was home.
“I am a firefighter, so I am trying to help the community, and the fact that someone would come to my house and steal from my family while I am at work is very frustrating,” he said.
Video shows a man in a green bucket hat calmly poaching packages from the threshold of Cluff’s Pinecrest home and then driving away in a grey Jeep Gladiator, making off with $60 worth of items, including school supplies.
“He did it so nonchalantly I am confident that this wasn’t the first time he has done it,” said Cluff. “I talked to another neighbor, my next door neighbor, who got stolen from also, he will be calling to file a police report also.”
Pinecrest police Capt. Ivan Osores wants the public to pay close attention to a distinctive tattoo on the crook’s left forearm.
“In this case it seems like the driver, the offender, was following the Amazon truck,” said Osores. “I think that somebody is going to recognize that. It is something that sticks out and it is very obvious.”
Said Cluff: “I am very thankful to Pinecrest Police Department. I know it is unfortunately a common, petty crime, but if you don’t do anything to stop it, it is only going to get worse so hopefully they find him.”
Authorities are asking the public to help them identify the suspect.
“The sooner we know, ideally, we will be able to apprehend this person quickly and prevent other people from being victimized,” said Osores.
Anyone with information is urged to call Pinecrest police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
PINECREST POLICE PORCH PIRATE PREVENTION TIPS
- While posting videos to social media sites can be helpful to get the word out, “the fact that they are communicating this information is extremely useful. Ring and video cameras and surveillance camera recordings have really helped law enforcement,” but he adds to follow the Cluff household’s example by also filing a police report, “because if we don’t know about it, then it really limits us.”
- Plan accordingly, select an alternate drop-off site for your packages like an Amazon Hub Locker.
- Different carriers have different features, you can consider selecting that a signature is required or that items are dropped off inside your garage via a garage code.
- You can consider having a drop-off box near the front door but out of public sight from the roadway.
- Have a neighbor collect packages delivered while you are away. '
- Report suspicious activity like a driver following a delivery truck.