TAMPA, Fla. — A 42-year-old "porch pirate" is behind bars after authorities say he stole packages from multiple homes in Tampa.
Hyson Williams was charged with petit theft and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling.
The Tampa Police Department said in a news release they arrested Williams at around 11 p.m. on Thursday, but the crimes he's accused of date back two months.
Between Oct. 15 and Dec. 4, the 42-year-old reportedly stole packages from 20 homes in the South Seminole Heights neighborhood.
Camera footage from those homes showed a man taking the packages and quickly running away with them.
"There is no easier target for criminals than packages left in plain view," Tampa Chief of Police Lee Bercaw said in a statement. "Don't let criminals enjoy the holidays at your cost. Invest in tools and put into practice techniques that conceal and protect your valuables."
With the holidays just around the corner, many people may be ordering gifts or other items that will be shipped to homes in packages. That's why the police department recommends the following to help lower people's risk of becoming potential targets:
- Buy a porch lock box that receives packages and keeps them safe, such as lock boxes that can only be unlocked with a key or combination
- Use app features that help track a package, and ask a friend, neighbor or family member to pick up your packages once they've been delivered
- Require workers who are dropping off packages to receive a signature from you upon delivery, if possible
- Request for packages to be delivered at secure locations, such as Amazon lockers, FedEx or UPS stores
- If you have to deliver a package directly to a person, let them know in advance and ask if they have a delivery preference