Brookline police use new technology to crack down on package thefts

BROOKLINE, Mass. – With the winter holidays rapidly approaching, many people are doing their shopping online and expecting deliveries, but more and more of those packages are getting picked up by thieves after they’re dropped off.

In Brookline and other area communities, police are fighting back and finding ways to follow the thieves without their knowledge.

“We place the GPS in a container, and then we wrap it, then put it in areas that we believe someone is likely to hit,” Brookline Deputy Police Superintendent Michael Gropman said.

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In Brookline alone, there have been at least 15 package thefts in the last 10 days. The crooks hit the North Brookline area especially hard.

“People work hard for their money, they are too busy. They are taking advantage of modern technology and here is someone pilfering off the top,” Brookline resident Sean Preston said.

On Wednesday morning, a quick-thinking officer spotted 2 package thieves, and reacted immediately.

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“As a delivery man was going into an apartment building, they went into the truck and an officer made an arrest within feet of the truck,” Gropman said.

A tip from Brookline Police, have someone sign for your packages, or have it delivered to your job.

Police say, they will continue to track down these suspects, so the thieves don’t ruin anyone’s Christmas.

Cox Media Group