Man fills up cardboard boxes with dog poop to get back at thieves

GRAND RAPIDS, Mi. (Fox 17) -- "There's got to be a way to get these people back."

That's what Keith Brown thought to himself the day a package containing two phone cases he ordered disappeared from the porch of his Hamilton Avenue home.

"Unless you catch them red-handed," said Brown, "There's absolutely nothing you can do. And I was like ... there's something you can do."

So Brown packaged the "contents" up in decoy boxes and left them out for would-be thieves. A short time later, the boxes were gone, leaving the crooks with a smelly surprise.

"I packed it," said Brown, "So if they stuck their hand in there, they were gonna get it."

But all jokes aside, mail theft is no laughing matter. It's a felony offense, punishable by up to five years in prison and additional fines. Local authorities recommend delivering and picking up your mail in person if possible, asking a neighbor to watch out for parcels if you know you won't be home, and having your items shipped to a retailer directly for you to pick up there. But above all else, when you see a package outside your door meant for you – take it inside immediately.

While it might be too late for Keith, but at least he got some well-deserved retaliation.

"You got what you deserved, you know?" said Brown. "I mean, people work hard for stuff, you know? You don't steal. And I hope you got a handful of crap."