Life
Teen neighbor chases thief after he swipes package off doorstep
The guy thought no one was around, but soon realized he messed with the wrong neighborhood.
Elijah Chan
12.10.21

As with any other thief, it was a score he shouldn’t have taken.

With the holidays inching just around the corner, we can expect crimes of burglary and scamming to skyrocket in the next couple of weeks. One of the most notorious right now is a version of modern-day piracy.

Flickr - Tony Alter
Source:
Flickr - Tony Alter

Porch piracy is a crime born from technology. As our societies became more reliant on online shopping, especially during the pandemic, crooks have devised a way to take advantage of the situation.

In one study, 64% of Americans have been victims of porch pirates.

The crime is so rampant thanks to the fact that it’s a “low-entry” crime. No special skills or qualifications are needed. All you need to do is walk up to someone’s doorstep, make sure no one looking, then snatch the package sitting defenselessly on the mat.

Flickr - U.S. Department of Agriculture
Source:
Flickr - U.S. Department of Agriculture

Christmas is also a hotspot. As the holidays roll in, more people buy things for gifts to family, friends, and to themselves. Not to mention that more people are out during this season whether it be shopping or reunions with friends. These can leave packages sitting out longer.

But not all porches are as “defenseless” as they seem.

In a video posted on YouTube, a porch pirate tried to steal a package from what he thought was an unsuspecting homeowner. The video has been viewed millions of times, thanks in part to the fact that some justice gets handed out.

YouTube Screenshot - pike 507
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - pike 507

The edited video which runs for barely over a minute shows a man walking towards a garage. With a luxury car sitting right outside, it’s easy to think that the package is well worth the risk.

YouTube Screenshot - pike 507
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - pike 507

At first, it seems like he was just strolling around the neighborhood. Then, when he saw the opportunity, he threw his hood over his head then snatched the hefty package.

It was the perfect score, or was it?

Shortly after the suspect walked out into the street, a male teenager sprinted towards where the porch pirate walked. Then, a vehicle backed up to where the two were headed. They weren’t going to let the guy get away that easily!

YouTube Screenshot - pike 507
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - pike 507

In a comical way, much like what we see in cartoons, the burglar ran down the opposite way with the concerned citizen in hot pursuit. The car that backed up? They were on the chase too.

What makes the scene even funnier is the song in the background, which makes it seem even more like a comedy movie.

YouTube Screenshot - pike 507
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - pike 507

In ten minutes, all those involved ran up and down the streets of their neighborhood before the teenager forced the man up the street with the crook’s arms held together.

The police can be seen arriving shortly after the citizen caught the man.

Pat Folger was the man driving the vehicle. The man who ran after the thief was his then 19-year-old neighbor who’s not only a wrestler but was also a football player and an Eagle Scout. Talk about being seen by the right people at the right time!

YouTube Screenshot - pike 507
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - pike 507

Although what they did was heroic, law enforcement recommends that we don’t chase after crooks. We don’t know if they’re armed or if they’re working with others in the area. It’s still advisable to call for the cops because no package is worth your life.

YouTube Screenshot - pike 507
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - pike 507

As for the thief? Let’s just say he won’t be spending the holidays plundering for gifts.

Watch how these neighbors teamed up to take down a porch pirate in the video below!

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