Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen

The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area.

According to police, officers are aware of multiple incidents involving a female suspect in a white SUV stealing freshly delivered packages from Transcona homes. Police said two residents have reported incidents so far; however, there could be others that have gone unreported.

Police have not made any arrests.

“The holiday season (November through January) often sees a spike in delivery package thefts,” police said in a statement.

“Thieves may follow delivery trucks or seize opportunities when packages are left in plain view.”

One of the victims of the Transcona porch piracy is Jesse Carlson. He said his wife opened their front door on Saturday and collected a package that was left on the front step.

However, the couple received an unwelcome surprise when they noticed the box, which was supposed to be a package from Amazon, was cut open with nothing inside of it.

Carlson said that when he watched his door camera’s footage, he saw the expected package being swapped out with an empty box.

He then posted to social media and learned others had experienced the same thing.

“It’s one of those situations that you hear about it from somebody else or you see it on the news, and things don’t affect you until it actually affects you personally,” Carlson said. “You never think that things are going to happen.”

In a statement, Barbara M. Agrait, an Amazon spokesperson on customer deliveries, said most orders make it to customers without issue; however, if something goes wrong, they work with customers to make it right.

"There are a variety of ways customers can keep tabs on the status of their orders, and we provide a number of delivery options to ensure their packages arrive as expected. Amazon’s customer service is also available 24/7 to help with any matters related to their delivery,” she said.

To combat porch piracy, the Winnipeg Police Service offers the following advice:

• Use an alternate delivery location;
• Request signature confirmation;
• Sign up for delivery alerts;
• Avoid visible deliveries; and
• Look into safe pick-up options.

- With files from CTV's Taylor Brock.