Wauwatosa Police Seize 31 Unopened Packages After Pursuit And Arrest

WAUWATOSA, WI — Wauwatosa police on Wednesday made an arrest and seized 31 unopened packages after a resident reported a package theft from their front door, the agency announced Thursday on Facebook.

Police said they are working to return each of the recovered packages to their rightful owners. A resident gave authorities doorbell footage from a theft and an officer later tracked down the suspect vehicle, which had been reported as stolen, police said.

The officer tried to stop the car but it fled and was later abandoned, police said. Officers arrested one person after a foot chase while another got away, according to police.

"Thank you to our officers who found and stopped the package-stealing 'Grinch'," the Facebook post reads.

Police said they found numerous other items that were likely stolen beyond the dozens of packages.

"With the ease of online shopping, thieves are looking to take advantage this holiday season by taking packages right off porches," police wrote. "You can protect yourself from theft by tracking your packages, have someone available for delivery, require a signature, have the package delivered to your work, or choose in-store pickup."