The United States faces a persistent problem of porch pirates plundering packages from doorsteps, and Middle Tennessee is no exception. Investigators with the Franklin Police Department are currently searching for a man caught on video brazenly swiping packages from an apartment doorstep (scroll down to watch video). The theft took place just before 6 AM this past Saturday, June 15th, with surveillance footage showing the suspect exiting the front passenger seat of a dark gray Jeep. The man confidently walked up the steps, grabbed multiple packages, and then hastily returned to the Jeep, which had at least one other individual inside.

The problem got so bad late last year in the small community of Nolensville that the Nolensville PD launched "Operation Front Porch." Through this initiative, residents were invited to have their packages delivered directly to the Nolensville Police Department. Recipients could then pick up their special deliveries in time for Christmas by showing a photo ID to the front desk worker at the department. Nolensville's anti-porch pirate program was available to residents throughout the month of December last year.

Several weeks ago in Rutherford County, the Sheriff's Office (RCSO) investigated a rash of cellphone thefts, with thieves snatching devices from homes just as they were delivered. Detective Christian Wrather of the RCSO advised, "If you order a phone online, try to make arrangements to be home to accept delivery if possible." Similar front porch thefts of smartphones have also been reported to the Hendersonville Police.

Local law enforcement agencies are burning the midnight oil, hoping to crack the long list of porch pirate cases in Rutherford and Williamson Counties. And remember to keep an eye on your doorbell camera for any arriving packages. Otherwise, those porch pirates won’t need a treasure map to find the loot—your front steps will be a goldmine!

2024001851 from Franklin Police Public Affairs on Vimeo.

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