Thousands of deliveries are made each day, even more so during the holiday season. During this time, there tends to be an increase in stolen package reports. You may be wondering, what type of crime is this? Is it a theft crime, or can it be even more serious? Our team at Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A. explains what charges someone could face if accused of stealing packages.
Do the Police Investigate Package Theft?
It depends. Some cases of package theft are so minor that the recipient does not make an official report. They may notify the company that their package didn’t arrive or was stolen, and many companies will send a replacement or offer a refund. However, if higher value items are stolen, more drastic measures may be taken.
Law enforcement may investigate instances of package theft. Oftentimes, surveillance or video doorbell footage is used to identify suspects. From there, the suspect may face a variety of criminal charges:
- Petty theft
- Grand theft
- Burglary
- Federal mail theft
Depending on the circumstances of the offense and the value of the package stolen, the suspect could face misdemeanor, felony, or even federal charges.
What To Do If You’re Accused of Package Theft
If you’re accused of being a porch pirate or otherwise stealing someone’s mail, it’s important to take action. Many individuals are unaware of the serious consequences that could follow if they are convicted of mail theft. If you are formally arrested and charged, use your right to remain silent and contact a defense attorney.
Theft and Property Crime Defense in Miami
Just because someone believes that you stole from them does not mean that you are guilty of doing so. Our team at Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A. wants to help you protect yourself against criminal mail theft accusations this holiday season. You can reach us at (305) 985-6640 or online to set up an initial appointment with our experienced criminal defense team.