TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Department says it has investigated more package thefts this holiday season than recent years.
Videos showing porch pirates swiping deliveries are popping up across Tampa Bay.
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Paul Memoli was with his family at Disney World when someone stole his Amazon delivery off the front porch.
"It's still a wake up call that you can’t trust people, even in a gated community," said Memoli. "If they want to get in and do things, they will."
According to Tampa Police, officers have received 32 reports of stolen packages between November 16 and December 16. That amounts to an average of one a day, and is eleven more thefts than the same time last year.
Tampa Police released a video this week, reminding people to track their packages online, require a signature for delivery, and monitor the front porch with a security camera.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office released video Tuesday showing a woman sneaking onto a porch, covering her face and stealing a package in the Williams Preserve neighborhood of Davenport.
Thankfully for Memoli, Amazon offered to refund the stolen items at no charge.
"They’re overall scumbags," said Memoli. "Buy your own stuff instead of just going around stealing stuff."
