Over the years, online shopping has gone from a novelty to how many, if not most, people buy the majority of non-food purchases. And the one company that could be credited for the explosion in online sales has to be Amazon. The company makes it so easy and convenient by offering customers super fast shipping that, in some cases, can arrive the same day you order!
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However, with this new surge in consumer activity comes the opportunity for criminals to find ways to take advantage of the system.
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Aside from identity theft, the most common crime associated with online shopping is porch piracy. This crime involves people waiting around or following delivery drivers and quickly snatching a customer’s item before they can pick it up from their doorstep. But, with more homes using security cameras, more and more thieves are finding it tough to escape justice.
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In 2020, Oklahoma City resident Carla Ford, a school consoler, ordered an iPad case and some camera equipment, which cost $40 on Amazon. And she was very excited to try her new products. She was eagerly awaiting them.
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But, a lowlife porch thief thought Carla’s package would be a good target and tried to do a little “exchange.”
The female thief stopped at Carla’s home, driven by an unknown suspect, and grabbed Carla’s package off her porch while leaving a bag of what appeared to be some fast food. People disguising themselves as food delivery to steal packages has become a famous trick since the explosion of food delivery services a few years back. Carla later revealed a half-eaten burger in the fast food bag.
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The woman, captured on Carla’s security camera, can be seen walking up to the front door, taking the Amazon package while leaving the other bag behind.
There’s no question the thief thought she’d made a clean getaway while successfully snatching potentially valuable merchandise. Little did she know, Carla had her eye on her the entire time and wasn’t about to let her get away!
Moments later, the homeowner is seen rushing out of her home barefoot in pajamas, running towards the stranger’s black jeep.
The school counselor, who had planned to enjoy a relaxing day at home, rushed outside as soon as she saw what was happening. She didn’t even bother putting on her shoes, which she described as the coldest day of the year. Her bare feet crunched the snow beneath them as she raced through her yard.
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Wearing nothing but her pajamas, Carla ran onto her freezing lawn, close on the heels of the porch pirate, determined to confront her.
Thankfully, Ford managed to catch the getaway car before the thief, and her partner could leave. She kept the passenger door open while reaching in to grab her package.
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As the vehicle left, Carla gave it a good whack with her package for good measure!
Carla said that she knew the video of her chasing down the porch thief was hilarious, and she even warned officers about how funny the video would be when she turned it into the police station.
“I told the police officer, I said ‘Feel free to laugh, it’s funny!’” she told Inside Edition.
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The video of Carla and the porch pirate went viral with over 4 million views. Hundreds of people commented, praising Carla for her determination and courage.
“The way she snatched her package back,” someone wrote. “Good job lady!”
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You can check out Carla’s video below.
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Sources:
- “Homeowner sees thief swipe package and refuses to let her get away with it” Sbly Spotlight.
