Police: Brazen Package Thief Spotted On Surveillance Video In Hoboken

HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Hoboken said a man has been orchestrating brazen thefts of packages from apartment buildings for months.

As CBS 2's Jessica Schneider reported, police Friday night were hoping someone would recognize the man and turn him in.

The suspected thief has his operation carefully plotted out. Surveillance video showed him lurking outside an apartment building for several minutes before walking into the lobby behind a tenant. He then immediately disappears, seeming to walk into a stairwell.

But moments later, the thief comes out, stands behind a front door. And then seeing no one, he opens a plastic garbage bag and loads several packages into it one by one.

"He pretty much walks in like he belongs there. So I'm sure there are instances he's gotten in, buzzed in; anybody rings bell. People aren't paying attention," said Hoboken police Detective Anthony Caruso. And once someone is in the building, anything can happen."

Leena Blosky lives in the building that was targeted. Just a few months ago, several of her packages were stolen when she was away on vacation.

"It shouldn't be risky," she said. "This is like a closed door. It's locked. People shouldn't be able to get in."

Even when CBS 2 walked by the same building seen in the surveillance tape, the packages could be seen piled up through the door. Police said there are other options to keep your items from being picked up.

They advised that residents can:

• Get a Post Office box;

• Call ahead to arrange a pickup from mail carriers;

• Specify signature delivery only.

Blosky said she has learned her lesson.

"I actually opened the door for people myself, so I'm not going to do that anymore," she said.

Police said the practice is something everyone should put in place.

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