KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Attempting to Identify “Porch Pirate”

	Kingsport Police Department David Quillin, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com
NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT:		Kingsport Police Attempting to Identify “Porch Pirate”
DATE:		December 13, 2019
CASE #:		19-029151

GENERAL NARRATIVE
On December 11, 2019 at approximately 4:00 PM, an adult white female suspect was caught on home video surveillance footage in the act of brazenly stealing two packages from the front porch of a residence on Packing House Road in Kingsport. When the suspect arrived at the residence, she was a passenger in what appeared to be a burgundy Ford Taurus 4-door sedan. She first knocked on the door, but when nobody answered, she took the packages and fled the scene. Photos taken from that footage have been included in this release, while a clip of the actual video has also been made available for viewing on the K.P.D. YouTube channel via the link below: https://youtu.be/jNIusJW2Gmo Anyone who recognizes her is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111. Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link: https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us This particular crime typically increases in frequency during the holiday season, and those individuals who commit it are commonly referred to as “Porch Pirates.” The best way to prevent it is to avoid leaving unattended packages outside your residence, especially for extended periods of time. Also, consider installing home video surveillance cameras that monitor the drop off location, and prominently display signs announcing their presence as a deterring effect. While cameras are not guaranteed to prevent this crime from happening, they greatly increase the chances of identifying the culprit. If you will not be home at the time your package is scheduled to be delivered, consider having it shipped to a different and more secure location, such as your place of work or the residence of a trusted friend or family member who will be home at the time of delivery. Other options include shopping locally rather than online when possible, having the package held by the delivery service for you to pick up at their distribution center at your convenience, or utilizing other secure delivery services such as Amazon Locker.