Columbus police operation targeting porch pirates leads to 17 arrests
The Columbus Police Department conducted an operation to combat porch pirates, leading to the arrest of 17 people, the department announced Friday afternoon.
Columbus police said the operation took place over three days at various locations throughout the city after CPD received multiple reports from residents whose packages were stolen from their homes.
“This was deliberate enforcement during one of the busiest delivery periods of the year,” the news release says. “Officers placed decoy packages, monitored activity, and made arrests when packages were taken,”
Police said 23 decoy packages were stolen during the operation, resulting in 17 arrests and 31 charges.
“Additional arrest warrant cases related to porch piracy investigations are still pending,” the news release says.
“These are property crimes, but during the holiday season they hit harder,” CPD Chief Stoney Mathis said in the news release. “Property crimes are classified as Part 1 crimes, and they often lead to larger criminal activity, including violent crime. We address them early and aggressively.”
The news release says CPD will continue proactive enforcement efforts targeting package theft as holiday deliveries increase. Police said a critical part of the operation is residents reporting suspicious activity.