Holiday Grinches May Be Targeting Your Packages

Information from the Mountain View Police Department:

It’s that time again. There are a people running around Mountain View trying to ruin the holidays by stealing your packages! Help us catch these Holiday Grinches by taking a few precautions when you ship a package to either yourself or someone else.

BEHAVIOR OF A HOLIDAY GRINCH

• These Grinches operate during the day not just under the cover of the night
• They tend to follow delivery vehicles
• Sometimes they work in pairs (one drives, the other is the runner)
• It doesn’t matter where you live Holiday Grinches know no boundaries

HOW YOU CAN DETER THE HOLIDAY GRINCH

• Require a signature upon delivery
• Sign-up for delivery updates on-line by tracking the location of your packages
• Have your packages delivered to a trusted neighbor
• Arrange for the package to be shipped to a location, like your workplace, trusted neighbor, friend or similar
• If you use a local package business, ask if your packages can be sent there
• Have the delivery company hold your package so you can pick it up at their local facility

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR PACKAGE IS STOLEN

• It never hurts to report stolen packages, which you can do easily on-line
• Report the stolen package to the correct shipping company:

• FedEx
• UPS
• USPS

• Holiday Grinches may travel in pairs or packs, but you live in a neighborhood with more eyes and ears. Talk to your neighbors about keeping an eye out for unusual activity.
• “See something, say something.” Report any suspicious activity right away by calling our non-emergency number at 650-903-6395.
• If you have the ability to take a photo or quick video, this will also help us to better identify possible suspects. You can send these to us at police@mountainview.goe and reference your case number if you have one.
• Write down descriptions of suspicious individuals and/or vehicles, like clothing, vehicle make and model, as well as license plate.
• You can send us an anonymous text at 274637. Be sure to include “mvtips” in the body of your message.