ARRESTED: Kingston Police look to identify female ‘porch pirate’ suspect

UPDATE (Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2022):

On Thursday, Apr. 14, 2022, Kingston Police released images and asked for public assistance to identify a female suspect involved in so-called ‘porch pirate’ thefts.

In a media release dated Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2022, Kingston Police thanked the public for their assistance after the suspect was arrested at approximately 3:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2022.

“Thank you to all those who assisted in providing tips which ultimately led to the arrest of the 48-year-old female accused who was subsequently charged with two counts of theft under $5000 as well as breach of probation,” Kingston Police stated, noting that the accused was later released on conditions with a future court date.

Original article:

Kingston Police have released the above photos, as well as the video clip below, and are asking for the public’s assistance to identify the female captured in both, the suspect involved in so-called ‘porch pirate’ thefts.

‘Porch pirates’ are those who steal parcels and/or mail addressed to others from the porches and/or mailboxes of the victims. The suspect pictured was involved in a series of such incidents at the end of March 2022, and Kingston Police would like to identify her.

According to Kingston Police, at approximately 4:32 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2022, the female suspect attended a residence on Earl Street, south of Princess Street in downtown Kingston. The residence was equipped with security cameras, which captured the suspect “walking back and forth erratically on the front porch and attempting to peer in through the front windows of the home,” Kingston Police said in a press release on Thursday, Apr. 14, 2022.

The suspect then remained at the residence for approximately five minutes before removing a parcel that had been delivered to the victim from the victim’s front porch.

“The suspect then left in a cab while leaving behind several of her own bags, which she had arrived with, near the front steps of the residence,” Kingston Police said.

Further investigation found that the suspect had also stolen a parcel from the porch of a house neighbouring the one on Earl Street, and that the suspect was dropped off by the taxi shortly after the second theft in the area of the 100 block of Van Order Drive.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian female with a thin build and short, blond hair. At the time of the thefts, she was wearing jeans, and a black zip-up hoodie with the brand name ‘BENCH’ in white on the upper right sleeve. She was also wearing a maroon-coloured hat, and a black surgical face mask.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Detective Jason Lachapelle at 613-549-4660 ext. 6294, or via email at [email protected].

Tips can also be made anonymously by calling the Kingston Police general number (613-549-4660 ext. 0) and requesting to remain anonymous.