WATCH: Porch pirates steal supplies from Lincoln small business
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Despite the prevalence of doorbell cameras, brazen thieves — known as “porch pirates” — often take advantage of crimes of opportunity.
Sometimes they even strike in broad daylight, stealing everything from home decor and medication to pet supplies — like what happened to Lincoln business owner Molly Martin over the weekend.
She posted a video to the NOW Local News App showing someone in a ski mask running up her porch and nabbing two packages.
According to Security.com, thieves stole $12 billion in packages off of doorsteps in 2024 alone, impacting 58 million Americans.
Its annual report showed Nebraska had one of the highest rates of package thefts, with nearly 10% of Nebraskans impacted over a three-month period in late 2024.
Martin has lived in her east Lincoln neighborhood for 25 years.
It’s also where Martin runs her dog-grooming business, Zoom Groom, which was impacted by the theft.
When she couldn’t find her packages on Saturday evening, she first thought it was just a misdelivery.
But after reviewing her Ring camera footage, Martin realized two thieves had noticed her camera and boldly took the packages anyway.
“And sure enough, at 6:15, one kid walked down the sidewalk and saw my Ring doorbell and told the other kid that there was a Ring doorbell, but he didn’t seem to care,” Martin said. “He came running up the stairs and grabbed the packages and took off. And that was it.”
Martin has had her doorbell camera for six years and thought it was enough to deter any would-be thieves.
“Felt safe here always,” she said. “Now I’m kind of looking over my shoulder a little bit, though, thinking maybe I shouldn’t be so trusting.”
The packages contained around $200 worth of products, from St. Patrick’s Day-themed dog toys to specialized blades for her grooming tools.
“It was for my business,” she said. “I needed it to operate, and it’s really disappointing.”
Martin said she was forced to restrategize while waiting on replacements to be delivered.
In the meantime, Lincoln Police are actively investigating.
Martin said she just wants her stuff, and she added the porch pirates should reconsider the path they’re on and think about how their actions impact others.
As for how to prevent your packages from being stolen, here are some helpful tips from AARP:
- Retrieve your packages as soon as they arrive
- Ask the sender to require a signature on delivery
- Pick up your packages somewhere else by using features like FedEx Delivery Manager or UPS Access Point
- Use vacation holds if you’re going to be out of town
- Work with your neighbors
