Massachusetts Police Investigating New iPhones Being Stolen from Porches
Some police departments in Massachusetts are investigating an increase in package theft from doorsteps, particularly of the new iPhone 16 that was recently released.
The Needham Police Department published a detailed post on Facebook describing how these “porch pirates” tend to operate. They wrote, “Typically, FedEx trucks are trailed by suspects who wait for the new iPhones to be dropped off. Within 5 minutes after FedEx leaves, a suspect comes and grabs the phone from the porch or driveway before the homeowner has a chance to retrieve it.”
They added, “It’s happening COUNTLESS times across the state each and everyday. Some suspects arrive dressed as ‘Amazon drivers’ and ‘swap’ a package, some are on mopeds, some are just common, inconspicuous cars.”
The Needham Police Department recommended customers require a signature for expensive packages or other valuable deliveries. They also suggested having packages delivered to a locker facility where you can then securely pick up your items. They also said to be observant of any vehicles or mopeds that appear to be circling in your neighborhood during the daytime. If you observe this suspicious behavior, call your local police department.
The Weston Police Department shared a similar post, which featured stills from a security camera capturing a theft. While they also advised requiring a signature or having items delivered to a dropbox location, the Weston PD shared, “We are advising residents to be vigilant of increased package thefts in the area in general, but specifically targeting deliveries of Apple iPhones, to which criminals have gained access to buy lists of where they are being delivered.”
The Most Surprising Things Left Behind on MBTA Trains
Interestingly enough, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) recently shared a PSA not about theft, but about passengers leaving things behind on their trains. In the process, a spokesperson revealed the most surprising things that have been left behind on MBTA trains.
The MBTA shared the clip below to social media along with the caption, “Left your glasses on the bus? Forgot your books on a bench? Call our Lost & Found phone numbers to see if your belonging was turned in. Each route has a dedicated Lost & Found that you can call to look for your items. Find the right phone number.”
Boston.com notes an MBTA spokesperson said that all items are held in the Lost & Found for 30 days. If an item is unclaimed within that time period, it’s donated to Goodwill. However, electronic items are properly recycled.
When asked what the most surprising things left on an MBTA train were, the spokesperson listed some stunning items, including ” … $10,000 in cash, a diamond engagement ring from a recent proposal, a drone, a bike, and a matching set of Hermès luxury items.” Fortunately, they also noted that all of these items were returned or claimed by those who left them behind. (Side note: Good on all of the people who turned these items in. Here’s hoping karma paid you back in kind.)
Meanwhile, all of the MBTA Lost & Found phone numbers are available at MBTA.com/Customer-Support/Lost-and-Found.
