Suspected porch pirate caught by NYC homeowner’s ‘decoy’ package

Homeowner sets up ‘decoy packages’ to capture package thieves
Victor Stazzone arrested after video captured theft in progress
Homeowner says he wanted to make example out of those stealing from others

Updated: Apr 4, 2024 / 05:38 PM CDT

(NewsNation) — A suspected porch pirate was seen on video stealing a package in New York City after he walked into the homeowner’s trap by trying to steal “decoy packages” left at the front door.

Carlos Mejia said he was “done” with thieves stealing his parcel, so he set up fake packages outside his front door to catch one in the act, Storyful reports.

Mejia’s security footage captured the suspect, 30-year-old Victor Stazzone, entering the yard Saturday, grabbing a box and trying to put it into his bag. Then, Mejia came out of his home with a baseball bat and detained the man until police arrived.

Mejia told Storyful “plenty” of his neighbors were “tired of people just following the UPS, FedEx, USPS deliveries and taking everything we work hard for.”

“I was just trying to make an example for those out there doing the same thing … stealing from others,” he told Storyful.

Stazzone is facing charges of petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and criminal trespass, the New York Police Department said in a statement to Storyful.

“The report states that an individual did remove a box from the premise without permission or authority,” NYPD wrote.