Local

'Porch Pirate' arrested, accused of snatching packages across two local counties

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies arrested a woman accused of stealing packages from nine homes across Catawba and Caldwell counties.

Summer Hatcher, of Granite Falls, is charged with several accounts of larceny.

Channel 9 was told she stole the packages for her children, but her neighbors weren't convinced.

“I think it sends a very bad message for the kids, and no, I don’t think it was for her kids. She better be glad she didn't come to my house” said Hatcher’s neighbor Sandra Oaks.

[ALSO READ: Five tips to keep your holiday packages safe from porch pirates]

Investigators said they received tips after images of the thefts were posted on social media. One of the images reportedly showed Hatcher leaving an empty box on the porch before stealing the items.

Deputies are working on returning the gifts, but said Hatcher burned some of the boxes in a burn barrel outside her home.

"She was taking the items. She had mentioned she didn't know what she was going to do with the items now. They had been stored in a closet in her room,” Det. Joey Morrison, with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, said.

“Thank you to the public for their assistance in solving the case. Our community benefits greatly when community members stay engaged and work in conjunction with our law enforcement agencies,” said Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown.

[ALSO READ: Brazen Huntersville package thief caught on camera]

This isn't the first time this has happened in the Charlotte area. Last month in Fort Mill, a woman was caught on video walking up to a porch and stealing packages. In April, video caught a woman stealing from a porch in Huntersville.

Last holiday season, police also investigated several thefts around the South End and Mount Holly areas.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

Cox Media Group

0

Most Read