New Jersey police are using fake Amazon boxes, complete with hidden GPS tracking devices, to nab so-called "porch pirates" who steal packages off of porches and doorstops, the Associated Press is reporting.
While the majority of people who order things and have them delivered to them have no problems, there are still thieves about who ply their wares by stealing packages left on the doorsteps of unsuspecting victims. And the problem has gotten bigger over the past few years, which makes sense when you think about it: as more people shop online for the holidays, that means there are more packages for "porch pirates" to pilfer.
In fact, by insurance-industry estimates, 26 million Americans have had holiday gift packages stolen from their porches or doorsteps. That works out to one in 12 Americans falling victim to this type of theft. Amazon, for its part, declined to speculate on how many of its packages are stolen, as did UPS and FedEx.
Regardless, Jersey City cops are having none of that. They've employed a "sting" to catch the thieves, and it goes like this: put a dummy Amazon package on a doorstep and just wait for a criminal to fall into the trap.
It only took three minutes, says police Capt. James Crecco.
"We had a box out on the street for three minutes before it was taken. We thought it was a mistake at first."
