An unlucky porch pirate in New York was arrested after allegedly using her food delivery gig as a DoorDash driver as a cover to steal packages from residential homes.
The suspect, identified as Juliana Saggaram, 33, hailing from East Elmhurst, Queens, was apprehended in September after authorities say she conducted her scheme twice within 48 hours.
Saggaram was arrested after a victim called 9-1-1 to report the stolen package.
Nassau police were able to capture the thief via surveillance footage, where she was seen pretending to deliver a DoorDash order while pilfering packages from the doorsteps of unsuspecting homeowners.
To evade suspicion, Saggaram even made a pit stop at a nearby Chipotle to pick up a food order she intended to use as a prop in her plan.
According to the video evidence, Saggaram, dressed in a black tank top, yellow skirt, sunglasses and AirPods, is seen approaching a residential home with a DoorDash order in her hand.
She seemingly places the bag of food in front of the door, only to swiftly grab the package. Moments later, she nonchalantly walks away, eventually jogging back to her gray SUV parked nearby.
Saggaram’s spree was cut short when a 54-year-old victim in Manhasset reported the theft of their package, leading to her arrest.
This brazen porch pirate wasn’t content with just one successful heist. Police believe she conducted similar acts of theft on multiple prior occasions, using her position as a DoorDash driver to blend in with the neighborhood’s daily activity.
Saggaram has been charged with two counts of petit larceny and was issued an appearance ticket. She is scheduled to appear in Nassau County First District Court on October 20.
Intriguingly, Saggaram’s LinkedIn profile lists her as a promoter at Hart Agency, a modeling agency in New York City, hinting at a dual life that contrasts with her alleged criminal activities.
Porch piracy, where thieves steal packages from doorsteps, has been on the rise, with many culprits caught in the act thanks to doorbell security cameras. In one incident, a thief disguised himself as an Amazon worker to steal multiple packages from a Queens apartment building.
The incidents have prompted victims to take inventive measures, such as one Texas mom who tricked a serial porch pirate by leaving a fake delivery filled with dirty diapers, only for the thief to retaliate by smearing them on her door.
