Multiple Denton residents captured an alleged porch pirate on camera, as police warn residents to report suspicious behavior.
The man, in a jacket and gloves, approached one resident’s door just after 8:20 p.m. on November 29, according to Ring doorbell footage. He covered the camera with one hand, bent down and examined a package, then left. The home was in a neighborhood near W. Windsor Drive and Westgate Drive.
“Porch pirate,” the resident wrote. “Apparently my box wasn’t worth grabbing but I’m sure he’s lurking around.”
When the man turned to leave, he revealed that his pants were falling. In the description section, the resident wrote – “Unique Traits: Someone who owns a belt but can’t use it correctly.”
Then, the man approached another home near Ross Street and Dennison Street at 6:36 a.m. November 30, according to a post on the Ring app. Photos show the man, wearing the same jacket with his hood up, approaching the door. This time, he reportedly stole a package.
“Stolen packages,” the resident wrote. “Info needed if you have additional footage or got his license plate on your camera.”
Amy Cunningham, public relations liaison for the Denton Police Department, told The Dallas Express she could not find a call or report for the first incident.
In the second incident, however, Cunningham said the victim filed an online police report on November 30 for theft near 2500 Denison Street. The stolen packages contained nearly $200 in clothing.
“The case will be referred to detectives for follow-up,” Cunningham told DX.
In the event of theft or suspicious activity, Cunningham urged residents to call 911 or the non-emergency line at 940-349-8181 to contact Denton police so an officer can respond and search the area.
“We encourage residents to schedule deliveries to arrive when someone is home, allowing packages to be brought inside as soon as possible,” she said. “We also recommend adding delivery instructions for drivers to place packages in a secure or hidden area.”
Cunningham also encouraged residents to use an alternate delivery address, like a workplace or locker location. She also said they could coordinate pickups with neighbors.
In July, a Ring camera captured another porch pirate stealing packages from a Denton home in the early hours of the morning, as The Dallas Express reported. Earlier that same month, another fed-up Denton resident left a surprise for potential porch pirates: days-old cat litter.
In October, Dallas residents expressed growing frustrations with porch pirates in Oak Lawn, as The Dallas Express also reported. Numerous residents said they tried to contact the Dallas Police Department about this, but allegedly to no avail.
