WATCH: Porch pirate steals package in front of UPS driver

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) - A porch pirate was caught on camera Wednesday afternoon, apparently swiping a package from the front porch of a Memphis home right in front of a UPS driver.

Cory Grubbs said his wife had just left their home on Lundee Place when it happened. In fact, he said she passed the UPS truck in her neighborhood as she was leaving.

Grubbs said it appeared the woman was following the UPS truck, and the driver saw her steal the package and discard the empty box at the end of their street.

"He (the driver) went and got the empty box and brought it back to the house and rang our doorbell, trying to get our attention. Evidently, he also notified MPD," Grubbs. "I appreciate him not stopping them because I didn't want him, that guy, to get hurt. I do appreciate him calling it in after the fact."

Grubbs got the tag number of the woman's car and passed it along to MPD dispatchers. He said this is the third time thieves have targeted his home over the last six months.

Grubbs posted a video of the crime on Nextdoor to warn neighbors. At least one person commented back that the same woman had hit their house, too.

"It blows my mind. I've seen a lot of crazy things happen. The fact that they can do this. They really don't care who's watching," Grubbs said. "I have cameras all over the place, and like I said, the UPS guy was there."

Grubbs said the item stolen was a Christmas present for his mother-in-law, valued at around $150.

"It's just the fact now she doesn't have a present for Christmas," he said.

Police say there has been a nearly 8% increase in porch pirate incidents in Memphis this year.

From January to October, MPD reported 675 porch pirate thefts, compared to 627 during the same period in 2023.