Porch pirate caught on camera stealing package in West Hollywood

A suspect is seen exiting a vehicle and nabbing a package from a West Hollywood home.

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Thursday, May 7, 2020
Porch pirate caught on camera taking package in WeHo
While people try to follow stay-at-home orders and buy items online, porch pirates are taking advantage of the pandemic.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- While people try to follow stay-at-home orders and buy items online, porch pirates are taking advantage.

Video from West Hollywood not far from La Cienega and Sunset boulevards Wednesday afternoon shows a man exit a vehicle and walk up to a home's front door to steal a package before quickly taking off.

The woman who provided the video said that the suspect arrived immediately after the package was delivered, so she believes he was following a FedEx truck.

The suspect was apparently in a Mercedes-Benz.

This latest incident comes after the Los Angeles Police Department said that during the coronavirus pandemic, many delivery drivers have been told not to touch door knobs, gate latches or other surfaces frequently touched by other people.

As a result, many drivers are leaving packages on the ground closer to the sidewalk, rather than walking them past gated fences to leave on a porch.

That allows thieves to take the packages easier and get away quicker.

RELATED: Porch pirates taking advantage of new coronavirus delivery rules, LAPD says

Porch pirates are getting easier access to packages because fewer drivers are touching gates and doorknobs to make deliveries, LAPD says.