Update – Arrested: Kingston Police seek to identify suspected porch pirate
Update (Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020): The suspect involved in the west-end porch thefts during the first week of November has now been arrested.
According to Kingston Police, numerous tips from the community were received regarding multiple package thefts from front porches in residential neighbourhoods of Kingston’s west end. Acting on those tips, police were able to locate and arrest the man responsible for stealing the delivered parcels. He was transported to Kingston Police headquarters, where he was later released on conditions with a future court date.
The 34-year-old local man arrested in connection with these incidents was charged with two counts of theft under $5,000, and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
The following is a message from Kingston Police to local residents:
“The Kingston Police would like to thank the community for their assistance and use this incident as an opportunity to remind the public to consider taking steps to protect your packages upon delivery when it is not possible for someone to be home or available to take receipt of the delivered parcel. Some suggestions for this include installing security surveillance such as a doorbell camera or outdoor home mounted video cameras. A receptacle that is secured at your residence specifically designed for parcel delivery would also prove to be an excellent option as a theft deterrent.”
Update (Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020): According to Kingston Police, the suspect in these cases has been identified.
“Kingston Police wish to thank the public after the individual who was captured on security video stealing parcels from residential porches in Kingston’s west end has been identified,” Const. Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police said in an email update.
“We thank these members of the public who provided pertinent information to police and encourage anyone else who has been the victim of similar type residential thefts to report them to Kingston Police by calling 613-549-4660.”
Original article:
Kingston Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a male suspected of stealing packages from front porches in residential neighbourhoods.
According to police, the first reported incident took place on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 at approximately 1 p.m. in a west end neighbourhood. The theft was captured on a security camera, which provided clear pictures of the masked suspect.
“Security video captured the theft in progress and provided clear pictures of the masked suspect,” Kingston Police said in a press release on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020.
Police said this same male is suspected of committing a similar theft from a porch in the same neighbourhood at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male with short dark hair and a medium build. At the time he was wearing tan-coloured shoes or work boots with dark toe protectors and soles.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kingston Police at 613-549-4660.