Alleged thief chats with UPS driver before stealing packages

Stories about packages getting stolen from front porches are big this time of year. But there's one alleged thief in Washington state who took things a little further.

"The man walks by the UPS truck, then he apparently waits for the driver to drop off the packages. They even have a short little conversation there," HLN anchor Lynn Berry said.

The alleged thief then steals the packages after the driver leaves.

KCPQ spoke with the homeowner, Troy Hall, who is furious over the fact the UPS driver believed the stranger when he or she said no one was inside the house. Hall's wife was home at the time.

"I think I would have left a note or come back later or something different than just slide it right next to the person who's looking very suspicious," Hall said.

When Hall called UPS to complain, it said the driver had followed company policy and nothing could be done.

On UPS' website, it says drivers will leave deliveries at the front door, unless a signature is required. In that case, a notice will be left saying an attempt was made to deliver the package and when the next attempt will be made. Hall's package did not require a signature.

The media has been flooded with stories about parcel thieves this holiday season. All of these stories are just from the last two days.

KMAX spoke with a post office spokesperson who said thieves are no longer just randomly coming across packages outside houses.

"These parcel pirates are following these trucks and as soon as they drop off a parcel on a doorstep or whatever and they see that it's unattended, they will swoop in and off they go," Gus Ruiz said.

He advised people require a signature when their packages are delivered as a way to circumvent thieves having an opportunity to steal them.

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