Chief Terence Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department has identified three teenagers in connection to multiple package thefts from eight Winthrop homes last week.
No charges have been filed against the three teenagers at this time, and Winthrop Police are working with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office to explore the possibility of resolution through restorative justice.
On Wednesday, Dec. 9, Winthrop Police responded to Sea Foam Avenue for a report of individuals stealing packages from porches. An officer investigating the report encountered two teenage males walking in the area in which the packages were stolen. Upon further investigation, Winthrop Police were able to determine that those two teenagers, along with a third individual, were allegedly responsible for the thefts at eight houses, and the items that were taken were ultimately recovered by Winthrop Police.
“The officers investigating this case did an outstanding job and were able to bring this case to a quick conclusion,” Chief Delehanty said. “Unfortunately, it’s all too common that we receive more reports of damaged or stolen packages during the holiday season. We strongly encourage residents to take the necessary steps listed below to help protect their purchases.”
The Winthrop Police Department wishes to share the following tips from the National Neighborhood Watch to help prevent package theft:
- Consider getting a P.O. box at your local post office or having packages delivered to your office
- Set up notifications to track your packages
- Install a security camera in the area(s) outside your home where packages may be delivered
- Require a signature upon delivery to ensure packages are never left unattended
- Reschedule delivery or ask for a package hold when on vacation
- Research potential home security technology and locking device options to protect and monitor packages
- Ask your neighbors to grab your packages for safekeeping until you return home
- If you find your package has been stolen, immediately report it to Winthrop Police at 617-846-1212
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.