Two North Hollywood men were arrested by Burbank Police on Wednesday, September 2, after witnesses identified the men as the individuals taking packages from residential porches in western Burbank. myBurbank first reported on the incident as it unfolded via Twitter.
At approximately 3:35 p.m., “a resident in the 1900 block of North Valley Street called the police to report seeing two males on bicycles stealing delivered packages from their neighbors’ porches,” explained Sergeant Claudio Losacco.
“Officers responded to the area and noticed discarded packaging strewn about. A short time later, an alert officer saw two people fitting the description of the suspects in the call in the 10500 block of Oxnard Street, in North Hollywood, which is relatively close to the Valley Street location.”
“The males were contacted and found to be in possession of the stolen property,” continued Losacco. “The witnesses also identified them as the people seen taking the packages.”
Jonatan Salguero and Jose Andres Moreno, both 22 years old and both residents of North Hollywood, were arrested for Receiving Stolen Property [496(a) PC]. They were later issued citations and are due in court on September 23.
“Thefts of packages from residential porches continues to be a problem in Burbank and our surrounding communities,” added Losacco. “The thefts have occurred in all parts of the city, generally in the afternoon to early evening hours. If you see someone following a delivery truck or taking packages from your neighbor’s porch, call the police immediately.”
Burbank Police issued several tips to help residents prevent package theft:
1. If you are expecting a package, try to have someone at home to accept it.
2. Some delivery services allow the recipient to sign-up for email or text alerts. Take advantage of this service and track your package, so it can be received or picked up from the porch ASAP.
3. If the delivery service allows you to change the delivery date/time of the package to a time when someone is home, do so.
4. Have the package delivered to a trusted neighbor who is home or request the package require a signature, so it won’t be dropped and you can make arrangements to pick it up or be delivered at a time when someone can sign for it.
5. Have the delivery service hold the package at their warehouse where you can retrieve it.
6. Consider obtaining a mail dropbox where someone is always present to receive your packages. You can later go pick-up the items at your convenience.