Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 28, 2018, EPS officers have investigated 17 parcel thefts throughout Edmonton.
“As the popularity of online shopping grows, so to does the number incidents reported to police related to parcel theft,” explained Staff Sgt. Darryl Fox, EPS Southwest Division. “Some companies will even offer their customers gift-wrapping services, which makes it pretty obvious for thieves to identify.”
Most recently, EPS has received reports of suspects allegedly following delivery trucks, before making off with the parcels once they’ve been dropped off at a residence. In one incident in southwest Edmonton, witnesses told police a Caucasian male in his mid-20s was spotted taking a parcel off a neighbour’s porch, before driving away in a silver Toyota Camry.
When shipping items purchased online, it is recommended that you use the delivery tracking app available at time of purchase, and do your best to have someone at home to receive the gift. If you’re unable to be at home on the day and time of delivery, customers may be able to contact the shipping company and ask them to deliver the item to your back porch or to another address.
Anyone who may have information about the suspect captured in the image below from the Nov. 19incident, and/or any of the other parcel thefts across the city is encouraged to call the Edmonton Police Service Complaint Line at 780-423-4567 or the Edmonton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your tip online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.