Police Arrest Suspected Package Thief

After releasing a photograph of the suspect, Howard County Police have arrested an Essex man who they say was caught on tape stealing packages from a home in Columbia. 

Police say Kenneth Randolph Sheehan, Jr., 41, of Essex, is also facing charges in another jurisdiction for stealing packages. According to court records, Sheehan faces multiple theft charges in Anne Arundel County.

According to police, a surveillance system at a house on the 6200 block of Tamar Drive in Columbia captured a UPS vehicle delivering packages to the house at about 2:40 p.m. on Nov. 28.

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In the video, a man gets out of the Subaru and takes the packages from the front door area of the home, puts them in the car and drives off. 

Howard County Police released photos of the man to the public and a tip led them to Sheehan, according to a statement released by police spokesperson Sherry Llewellyn. His arrest was announced in a statement released by police on Dec. 21.

Last year, a similar incident occurred just before Christmas when police said a woman pulled into an Ellicott City driveway and stole a package from a doorstep. That incident, too, was captured on the resident's video surveillance camera.

Christmas is over, but late gifts and returns ensure parcels will still be vulnerable to theft. Police are asking residents to ensure packages reach their destination by confirming with recipients. If you believe a package has been stolen, police suggest residents:

• Check the back or side doors to see if the package was left at a different location.
• Check with neighbors to see if a package was delivered to the wrong address
• Call the delivery company to confirm the package was delivered
• Report the missing package to Howard County Police at: 410-313-2200

To prevent package thefts during the holiday season and year-round, police suggest residents: 

• Track shipments
• Be home when packages are scheduled to arrive
• If you won’t be home, have packages delivered to work
• Ask the shipping company to deliver packages to a discreet location, such as a back door
• Ask neighbors to hold packages until you get home

Police also warn residents to be aware of suspicious people and vehicles. Delivery drivers, too, should be aware of vehicles that seem to be following them, according to police.

And if you notice suspicious behavior, police ask that you call 911 immediately and take note of any related vehicle’s make, model and license plate number. 

Related:

- Police: Man Caught on Camera Stealing Package from Columbia Doorstep

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