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The Morning Brew: OKC porch thieves in action

Matt Patterson
by Matt Patterson
Published: Tue, December 5, 2017 7:01 AM Updated: Tue, December 5, 2017 8:49 AM

OKC porch bandits in action 

As Christmas season barrels to its climactic end on December 25, packages are being dropped off on porches across the country and in the metro by UPS, FedEx and postal service workers. And thieves are taking advantage.

Oklahoma City resident John Karlin is fighting back with cameras and fake Amazon packages.

More than 23 million Americans have had delivered packages stolen from their property, according to a 2015 study by insuranceQuotes.com.

Karlin has recorded those who have attempted to steal from his home. Here's a look at thieves in action

#ICYMI

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Related Photos
Spc. Nathan Randell, an Oklahoma City resident and member of A Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, briefs Soldiers on how he wants them to cross a road during the Basic Leader Course field training exercise at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Western Ukraine, on Oct. 11. (Photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)

Spc. Nathan Randell, an Oklahoma City resident and member of A Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, briefs Soldiers on how he wants them to cross a road during the Basic Leader Course field training exercise at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on...

John Karlin shows how he arranges empty shipping boxes on a bench. Karlin installed cameras around the exterior of his northwest Oklahoma City home in an attempt to stave off unwanted visitors intent on stealing packages delivered to his porch. About 1 in 10 Americans have been victimized by porch pirates — thieves who swipe packages and other items from porches. Karlin said he has been the victim of 18 attempts to loot his porch. His cameras have led police to several suspects and have helped police make two arrests for porch thefts. Karlin admits to planting fake packages for thieves to steal, such as a dead squirrel in a box. Photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
<figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-681e443af0c6b4386f7d670cc869cd5b.jpg" alt="Photo - Spc. Nathan Randell, an Oklahoma City resident and member of A Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, briefs Soldiers on how he wants them to cross a road during the Basic Leader Course field training exercise at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Western Ukraine, on Oct. 11. (Photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)" title="Spc. Nathan Randell, an Oklahoma City resident and member of A Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, briefs Soldiers on how he wants them to cross a road during the Basic Leader Course field training exercise at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Western Ukraine, on Oct. 11. (Photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)"><figcaption>Spc. Nathan Randell, an Oklahoma City resident and member of A Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, briefs Soldiers on how he wants them to cross a road during the Basic Leader Course field training exercise at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Western Ukraine, on Oct. 11. (Photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-25cfd50aecfcd84f20421bbd4926f3e6.jpg" alt="Photo - John Karlin shows how he arranges empty shipping boxes on a bench. Karlin installed cameras around the exterior of his northwest Oklahoma City home in an attempt to stave off unwanted visitors intent on stealing packages delivered to his porch. About 1 in 10 Americans have been victimized by porch pirates — thieves who swipe packages and other items from porches. Karlin said he has been the victim of 18 attempts to loot his porch. His cameras have led police to several suspects and have helped police make two arrests for porch thefts. Karlin admits to planting fake packages for thieves to steal, such as a dead squirrel in a box. Photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman" title="John Karlin shows how he arranges empty shipping boxes on a bench. Karlin installed cameras around the exterior of his northwest Oklahoma City home in an attempt to stave off unwanted visitors intent on stealing packages delivered to his porch. About 1 in 10 Americans have been victimized by porch pirates — thieves who swipe packages and other items from porches. Karlin said he has been the victim of 18 attempts to loot his porch. His cameras have led police to several suspects and have helped police make two arrests for porch thefts. Karlin admits to planting fake packages for thieves to steal, such as a dead squirrel in a box. Photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>John Karlin shows how he arranges empty shipping boxes on a bench. Karlin installed cameras around the exterior of his northwest Oklahoma City home in an attempt to stave off unwanted visitors intent on stealing packages delivered to his porch. About 1 in 10 Americans have been victimized by porch pirates — thieves who swipe packages and other items from porches. Karlin said he has been the victim of 18 attempts to loot his porch. His cameras have led police to several suspects and have helped police make two arrests for porch thefts. Karlin admits to planting fake packages for thieves to steal, such as a dead squirrel in a box. Photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure>
Matt Patterson

Matt Patterson has been with The Oklahoman since 2006. Prior to joining the news staff in 2010, Patterson worked in The Oklahoman's sports department for five years. He previously worked at The Lawton Constitution and The Edmond Sun.... Read more ›

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