Home Security Cameras Capture Package Thief

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Surveillance cameras caught a thief in the act in St. Anthony Park.

Tom Henderson expected a package to be delivered last week, but it was not there when he got home.

An app on his phone held the answers, and police hope you can help identify the man.

Henderson's doorbell camera clearly shows the mailman dropping a package at his door. And an hour and a half later, it captured another person.

"When I went and retrieved the video I realized I had four different videos of the guy stealing this package," Henderson said. "He clearly knew exactly what he was going for. He came all the way up the stairs, went right to the front door, opened it, grabbed what he knew was there and then left."

He could not believe someone would act so brazen.

"I felt violated, I was angry," Henderson said.

He hopes with all the angles, someone will recognize the man.

"There is no rhyme or reason to when they happen," said Sgt. Mike Ernster of St. Paul Police.

He says package thefts increase around the holidays, but they are otherwise sporadic.

"Best way to prevent it is to kind of plan your package arrival. What are you having delivered to? What kind of value does it have? And what do you want to put into it?" Ernster said. "If you're not going to be home, have it sent to a neighbor's house. Have it sent to your workplace, that's another way of doing it."

Inside Henderson's package was a picture and frame he ordered of his kids; something that meant a lot to him, but probably not anyone else.

"I find it hard to believe that he committed a federal offense for a $25 picture frame," Henderson said.

Police suggest neighbors look out for each other. If you see someone suspicious, call police. And if you recognize the man in the video, they also ask you to call, as this probably is not the first or the last time the thief will strike.