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Monday, March 20, 2023

Mail Theft Advisory from the Southlake Police Department

The Southlake Police Department wants to remind residents to use caution when having packages delivered to their doorstep especially during the holiday season. Police are currently working a case of mail theft in Southlake. The theft occurred on November 14th in the 2100 block of Cheyenne Park Lane.

The homeowner stated that several packages were taken from his front porch. Southlake Police are releasing three images taken from the resident’s home video surveillance system in the hopes that anyone who recognizes this individual will contact police.

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Suspect Vehicle

Mail Theft Suspect

Mail Theft Suspect

Mail Theft Suspect

Mail Theft Suspect

 

 

 

 

 

 

The video shows a vehicle making a slow pass by the victim’s residence before making a U-turn and approaching the house. The vehicle is described as a silver passenger vehicle, possibly a newer model Honda Fit. The suspect’s vehicle has one rim/hubcap missing on the front passenger side.

The suspect shown in the surveillance video is a white male, wearing a black ball cap with a red emblem, a light colored jacket, blue jeans and black shoes. He also appears to have a pair of work gloves in his back right pocket.

Additional Tips for Preventing Mail Theft:

Packages that are left unattended make for easy targets for criminals. Package thefts commonly occur during normal working hours (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) when many people are not home. To avoid being a victim, here are some tips to prevent packages from being stolen from your front porch:

  • If possible, and allowed by your employer, have packages delivered to your workplace.
  • If having packages delivered to work is not an option, have packages delivered to a place where they can be received in person, such as a trusted neighbor who stays at home during the day or perhaps a retired relative.
  • Request that the shipper require a signature confirmation or hold your package at their pick up facility until you are available to pick it up in person.
  • If purchasing from a large retail store, request that the package be shipped to there nearest store for pick up at your earliest convenience.
  • Provide delivery instructions to the shipper so that packages can be left in a safe location, such as behind your gate, side of the garage, etc. The goal is to have the package out of sight from the street and sidewalk.
  • It is always a good idea to sign up for delivery alerts from the shipper (i.e. email confirmations, etc.). That way you know when your package has been delivered.
    If you see any suspicious behavior please call the police non-emergency number at (817) 743-4522.

 

Southlake Police Step Up Patrols Following Mail Thefts

police badgeThe Southlake Police Department has stepped up patrols in area neighborhoods following reports of thefts from residential mailboxes. Our Criminal Investigative Division immediately began gathering information and leads as soon as the first theft was reported. CID detectives continue to work each case and gather new information and leads to help locate the person or persons responsible.

The police department wants Southlake residents to know that it is standard practice for officers to patrol area neighborhoods and shopping centers on each shift 24/7. For example in March alone, officers made routine patrols of 77 homes where residents signed up to be on the ‘House Watch” program while they out of town. The forms and information about our “House Watch” program can be found on our City of Southlake Police Department website page under Community Services or at CityofSouthlake.com/HouseWatch.

Southlake police officers also conducted 1,627 patrols in neighborhoods throughout the City; made 132 community policing contacts; and 2,007 security checks of local businesses. “The Southlake Police Department is committed to our community policing strategy.  That mission drives our efforts to prevent crime in the City and provide the highest standards of safety and security for our citizens,” said Assistant Chief James Brandon.

Community Policing Efforts  (March 2014)

Neighborhood Patrols                     1,627

Community Policing Contacts        132                                                                                                             (Including presentations and meetings with Home Owners Associations (HOAs)

Business Security Checks              2,007

House Watch Patrols                       77

Residents are encouraged to retrieve your mail at every opportunity, limiting the time mail is left in your mailbox. If you are going to be out of town be sure to arrange to have someone collect it for you and keep it in a safe place until your return.

If you feel that you have been a victim of mail theft you can report it directly to the US Postal Service at 1-877-876-2455 or www.USPS.com. If your identity has been stolen, you may report it to Southlake Police at 817-743-4522.

If you would like to learn more about the services the Southlake Police Department provides, please visit CityofSouthlake.com/PoliceDepartment where you will also find information about our District Sergeant Program.  This program identifies each Sergeant in your district including contact information for any specific police related concerns that you may have.  Sergeants are also available to speak to your HOA or organization about ways to help ensure that you do not become a victim of mail theft as well as other safety tips for your home and family.

The Southlake Police Department would like to encourage residents to become familiar with the Sergeant responsible for policing efforts in your neighborhood and please report any suspicious activity to the numbers listed for your District Sergeant or call SLPD at (817) 743-4522.