Watch: Porch pirates target south Charlotte complex

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) – Residents at a south Charlotte townhome complex say porch pirates are targeting their homes.

Multiple people at Queen City Townes off Old Pineville Road have had their packages stolen on several occasions.

“In the last week, we’ve had four packages stolen right here from our front door,” said Carol Pasmanik, who lives at the complex.

Video from Pasmanik’s Ring doorbell camera shows the most recent theft, which happened at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

“I have not been sleeping the last two nights,” she said.

With four days left until her wedding, thieves have taken some of her gifts and even a dress for one of her bridesmaids.

“Now, we’re probably going to have to go buy a new one last minute and get it hopefully fixed with a 24-hour turnaround,” said Pasmanik.

This is one of several incidents Pasmanik has caught on camera. It shows a delivery driver dropping off her package, even trying to hide it from sight in a bush. Fifteen minutes later, a porch pirate appears.

“From what our cameras show, it’s been three different people,” she said.

Residents told Queen City News many people walk along the busy road and there’s nothing stopping anyone from walking up their steps and taking their packages.

“Definitely concerning that this may be a trend that’s starting in our community,” said Lucas Phillips, who lives at the complex.

Phillips said he’s had five packages stolen since last month, which were also gifts from a wedding registry.

“It’s forced my fiancé and I to feel like we’re stuck at home monitoring the cameras to make sure we pick up the packages as soon as possible, so that’s also impacted our day-to-day life,” he said.

It’s shocking to him that someone would come up to a house that has a Ring camera and steal.

“They’ve developed some strategies where they’ll shine the flashlight right on the Ring camera so it’s very difficult to see their face or their body,” he said.

Phillips is now sending his packages elsewhere.

“We’ve had to re-route our whole wedding registry to make sure the packages are delivered to a friend’s house who’s nowhere near this area because we don’t feel like it’s safe to get anything delivered to our place right now,” he said.

Both couples have filed police reports. Charlotte-Mecklenburg officers said they haven’t made any arrests yet but the investigation is ongoing. As for the complex, property managers said they have plans to add more security cameras and presence.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.