Photos Capture Suspected Package Thefts, Assault

CHARLOTTE, NC — Police say thieves are casing neighborhoods to steal holiday packages delivered to doors.

Officers are still looking for the suspect in one of the latest cases. They say he went so far as to assault someone who tried to stop him.

The victim captured photos as the assault happened.

“You really can’t ever be safe,” said the owner of the packages, Kate Rawlins. “What if I had walked up when this was happening, or what if I opened the door right when he was there? You don’t know those people are going to do.”

It was just before dark on Nov. 23 when Rawlins says the man walked through her Collins Park neighborhood, swiping delivered packages from porches.

Her neighbor, whose name we aren’t releasing since she’s a victim, confronted the man. A photo shows him hitting her with the blue package before getting away.

She tells WCCB Charlotte she went after him because she was infuriated and wanted proof for police.

“The assaulting me with the packages just kind of put it over the edge, and [I] wanted him arrested for the stealing as well as the, you know, assault on myself,” said the neighbor.

CMPD warns you about the package thefts during the holiday season when online shopping soars.

The online neighborhood crime blog, Nextdoor, says 42 percent of people surveyed say someone has stolen one of their packages before.

To protect yourself, CMPD says to have your packages delivered to someone you know is home or your workplace if they allow it.

If you see someone following a delivery truck, call 911 so officers can ensure the person isn’t casing a neighborhood.

If you see the suspect in this case, call CMPD. Don’t approach him.

“It was pretty brave of her to do,” said Rawlins. “But, that would be pretty scary to do.”