An Arizona man has been arrested after police linked him to a string of package thefts from homes in Mesa and Gilbert.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Luan Nguyen, is accused of stealing delivered packages from front porches over several months. Police said the thefts happened between late March and early June and involved more than a dozen incidents.
Investigators said surveillance video helped connect Nguyen to the package thefts. In some cases, doorbell cameras reportedly showed a suspect walking up to homes, grabbing packages and leaving quickly.
Police said the stolen items were worth more than $2,800. Investigators believe some of the items were kept for personal use, while others were sold online.
Nguyen was arrested after officers allegedly found stolen merchandise at his home. He is now facing felony charges, including theft, trafficking in stolen property and possession of dangerous drugs.
The case has frustrated local residents, many of whom rely on home deliveries and doorbell cameras to protect their packages. One Mesa resident said she was shocked after reviewing security footage and seeing packages taken from her porch despite warning signs that the area was under 24-hour camera monitoring.
Mesa police said the investigation is still ongoing. Detectives are working to identify more possible victims and determine whether Nguyen may be connected to other package theft cases in the East Valley.
Police are asking anyone who believes they may have been targeted, or anyone with information about the thefts, to contact Mesa Police.
The arrest highlights a growing problem for homeowners as online shopping continues to increase. Package theft, often called porch piracy, can leave victims feeling unsafe and frustrated, even when the stolen items are not extremely expensive.
