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Security cameras catch man stealing mail from Westminster family in broad daylight

Posted at 3:02 PM, Oct 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-29 01:05:53-04

WESTMINSTER, Colo. – Police continue to warn of so-called “porch pirates” after mail was stolen from yet another home in the Denver metro area in broad daylight Wednesday.

Gregg Blakesley contacted Denver7 with video of the latest mail thief hitting his home Wednesday afternoon – just before his wife returned home from work.

The fearless suspect stopped his car in front of Blakesley’s home, walked up to the mailbox, and took all of the family’s mail, which included a package.

Blakesley said he filed a police report after the incident, which Westminster police confirmed Friday afternoon. The case was assigned to a detective Friday morning, a spokeswoman for the department said.

The spokeswoman, Kate Kazell, said there have not been any other reports of mail package thefts in the neighborhood in recent months.

“Porch pirates” often follow UPS, FedEx and other mail delivery vehicles to swoop in and take the packages left for homeowners. There are a handful of apps and other things that can help stem mail theft, though some of them cost more than $40.

But some use storage bins on their porches, which are outfitted with instructions for package delivery companies and can help stem thefts.

Mail theft is a federal offense punishable by fines of up to $2,000 and imprisonment of up to five years if a person is convicted.

Blakesley and the Westminster Police Department ask anyone who knows the suspect to contact police at 303-658-4360.

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