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Deputies looking for 'porch pirate' who stole iPhone in Polk County

The theft happened on Granite Drive in Lakeland.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man stole an iPhone off a porch in Lakeland on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office posted a video of the "porch pirate" on Facebook showing him getting out of his gray Volkswagen, walking up to the house and putting the iPhone in a Rue 21 shopping bag. 

The suspect was wearing a dark blue North Carolina hoodie, gray joggers and gray shoes around 2:30 p.m. when he stole the phone on Granite Drive, according to deputies. 

The Tampa Police Department has several tips to minimize the risk of getting packages stolen

  • Purchase a porch lock box designed to receive packages and keep them secure
  • Track your packages 
  • Ask a friend, neighbor or family member to pick up your package when they’re delivered
  • If given the option, require a signature upon delivery
  • Request for packages to be delivered at secure locations such as Amazon lockers, FedEx or UPS stores
Porch pirate in Lakeland

***PORCH PIRATE ALERT*** CRIME: GRAND THEFT CRIME SCENE: GRANITE DRIVE, LAKELAND POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CASE #24-11904 Around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the porch pirate seen here stole an iPhone off of the victim's porch that had just been delivered by FedEx. He put the box into a "Rue 21" shopping bag. The suspect is wearing a dark blue North Carolina hoodie, gray joggers, and gray shoes, driving a gray Volkswagen with a reflecting decal on the front window. If you have any information that could be helpful to this investigation, please contact Detective Brandt at (863) 632-2400 or at lbrandt@polksheriff.org. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways: • CALL 1-888-400 TIPS (8477) • DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone • VISIT www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip," • DOWNLOAD the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet.

Posted by Polk County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, March 21, 2024

If you have any information that could be helpful to this investigation, you are asked to contact Detective Brandt at (863) 632-2400 or lbrandt@polksheriff.org. You can also submit a tip through Heartland Crime Stoppers. 

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