Present-stealing porch pirates prey on South Hill residents

SPOKANE, Wash. — South Hill residents claim their Christmas presents ordered online were snatched right off their porches and out of their garages.

Dawn Dewitt just moved here from Seattle, thinking it would be a safer place to live, but last week, she says an online order was stolen off her front porch.

“We had ordered some coffee and a coffee machine. It’s not the most expensive thing, but now everyone’s ordering Christmas presents. It ranges from annoyed to really, really angry and it’s really painful,” Dewitt said.

Dewitt says plenty of her neighbors had their packages stolen, too.

“Oh gosh, at least 15 or 20 in last few weeks. We know someone had handmade crafts taken, other people have had things taken, bikes taken , garden stuff, lawn mowers from garages,” she said.

“It’s a very frustrating situation,” Lorrie, who lives on the South Hill, said.

Lorrie says she had power tools and books stolen a few years ago. Since then, she has taken safety precautions.

“I’ve told USPS not to deliver packages. I pick them up at post office. I put security door on my garage,” Lorrie said.

Both Lorrie and Dewitt are hoping to prevent future porch thieves from coming to the doorstep.

“I think we will set up a neighborhood watch, asking people to keep eyes out,” Dewitt said.

If you make online orders through Amazon.com, you can send your online orders to the Amazon Locker at Huppin’s on Division. It is open 24/7 for safe package pick-ups. It is the only Amazon Locker in Spokane.