A resident in Philadelphia captured a real-life Grinch on video, brazenly stealing holiday packages from a porch in a local neighbourhood. The footage, shared as a warning to others, shows a person in a burgundy sweatsuit making off with deliveries using a green pillowcase as a sack.
Caught in the Act: The Grinch on Video
Audrey Johnson, the resident who had one of her own packages taken, described the thief to Philly’s Channel 6 ABC Action News. “He had on a burgundy sweatsuit, and a green pillow case with packages, people’s packages in it,” Johnson said. In the video, a neighbour can be heard yelling at the man as he walks away from the scene.
Johnson expressed frustration at the theft, highlighting the hard work of residents. “He just need to get a job and find a life, ’cause that don’t make no sense. People work hard to get what they have,” she told the news outlet. She hopes the video will encourage vigilance as holiday deliveries increase in the coming weeks.
Residents Take Precautions as Thefts Rise
The incident is not isolated. According to police data, package thefts are on the rise in Philadelphia. Through November of this year, there were more than 2,800 reported thefts, compared to nearly 2,700 during the same period last year.
Sergeant Eric Gripp of the Philadelphia Police Department noted that many crimes likely go unreported. “We do feel as though that there are a lot of these crimes that are happening that are just not being reported,” Gripp said. He urged victims to contact police even if a stolen item is replaced by a retailer, as it helps track crime patterns.
Johnson’s neighbour, Margarita Diaz, has taken extra steps to protect her deliveries. “I had to put signs and I had to get another bell because the other one wouldn’t ring that loud, so I had to get two bells instead of one,” Diaz explained.
Police Departments Use Creative Deterrents
With December typically being the worst month for package thefts, law enforcement agencies are getting creative to spread awareness. In Deer Park, Texas, the local police department released a short, humorous video featuring an officer apprehending a Grinch character in a Santa costume who was caught stealing packages from a porch.
The video, which ends with the Grinch being handcuffed and placed in a squad car, serves as a seasonal reminder for residents to take precautions with their deliveries. Back in Philadelphia, Audrey Johnson summed up the seasonal threat succinctly: “The Grinch come to steal Christmas.” She plans to continue keeping watch and alerting her community to the ongoing issue.
