A combination of the coronavirus pandemic, online shopping, and the coming of Christmas has resulted in an influx of package thefts on doorsteps of Evanston residents. Three such incidents are among the stories in today’s crime bulletin from Evanston police.
Evanston Police Cmdr. Brian Henry offers a number of suggestions to residents to lessen the chances of a stolen package ruining your holiday season.
“Make sure you have a tracking number for your deliveries,” he recommends, “so you can get a text or email when your package is on the way or delivered.”
When feasible, he adds, require a signature for delivery.
Apartment, coop, and condo buildings, he says, should make sure that common doors are closed and secured, as many of the thefts occur outside the secure entrance to the buildings, making it relatively easy for a thief to enter the front door and help himself to packages left by delivery persons.
It’s also a good idea to coordinate with family, friends, and neighbors when you are going out of town so that they can be vigilant about helping to protect package deliveries to your home while you’re away.
And, of course, you should call the police if you observe suspicious activity, Cmdr. Henry advises.
Now, here are the details from today’s crime bulletin:
THEFT
800 Monroe
A package delivered to the porch of a residence in the 800 block of Monroe Street was stolen between noon and 1 p.m. Thursday.
1200 Elmwood
A package delivered to the common area of an apartment complex in the 1200 block of Elmwood Avenue was stolen between Nov. 21 and Nov. 29.
400 Custer
A package delivered to an apartment common area in the 400 block of Custer Avenue was taken around 4 p.m. yesterday.
1000 Grove
A bicycle that was secured to a fence in the 1000 block of Grove Street was stolen between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. yesterday.
1500 Maple
A bicycle that was secured to a bike rack in the 1500 block of Maple Avenue was stolen around 4:30 p.m. yesterday.
BURGLARY
900 Judson
A bicycle was taken from the unsecured screened porch of a home in the 900 block of Judson Avenue around 1:40 p.m. yesterday.
CRIMINAL DAMAGE
2400 Main
Someone keyed the side of a 2014 Toyota in a parking lot in the 2400 block of Main Street between 2 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. yesterday.
1300 Sherman
Glass was broken on an overhead door of a commercial building in the 1300 block of Sherman Avenue around 6:10 p.m. yesterday.
OTHER
635 Chicago
Amitkumar U. Padhiyar, 35, of 4457 W. Ainslie Ave., Chicago, was arrested at 635 Chicago Ave. at 8:42 a.m. Friday and charged with possession of fraudulent identification.
TRAFFIC
Ridge at Davis
Steven Morell, 18, of 34272 N. Birch Lane, Gurnee, was arrested at Ridge Avenue and Davis Street at 11:06 a.m. Friday and charged with a traffic violation. He is due in court on Dec. 28 at 9 a.m.
Incidents listed appear among the official reports of the Evanston Police Department. An arrest does not constitute an assumption of guilt, which can only be determined by a court of law. Court appearances take place in Cook County 2nd District Court in Skokie.
Related Document:
Crime Bulletin (December_08-20DR)