Police in Belleville say that they are on the lookout for a group of bicycle-riding porch thieves.
Several residents have reported that packages have disappeared from their front porches. One victim says that she caught one of the alleged thieves in the act via her doorbell security camera.
"I captured him coming up the block, going to my neighbor’s house, parking his bike, then coming around and went up to my porch and stole my packages,” says Katherine Gilmartin.
Gilmartin, of Smallwood Avenue, says that the suspect had a goatee and was wearing a blue bracelet, hat and Adidas sneakers. He was also seen riding a white bicycle.
“You can see everything the minute he walks in,” Gilmartin says.
Gilmartin’s neighbor across the street tells News 12 New Jersey that she was also a victim of theft.
“I know it’s just somebody’s just taking a small amount of your package, but I feel so paranoid about my family’s safety,” says the neighbor, who did not wish to be identified.
Belleville Police Chief Mark Minichini says that the thieves have struck on Carpenter Terrace, Sanford Avenue and Watsessing Avenue. He says that thanks to doorbell security cameras, police have some images of the thieves.
“They are very high-tech digital images that you can expand and zoom in on, so to speak, and you still have a nice, clear image,” he says.
undefined
Police say that they want the public to be on the lookout and to look at some of the security photos to see if they recognize the thieves.
Belleville police are also in the process of working out a partnership with Ring doorbell, which would allow them to work with residents to get videos of potential crimes out faster to the public.