A New York City homeowner traps a pirate on his porch and greets him with a baseball bat, according to security video.
Carlos Mejia of Queens used a baseball bat to restrain a man who stole a decoy package Saturday, but Mejia said he was “done with” the robbers who chased FedEx and UPS trucks to steal packages left on balconies. he said.
This is a frustrating issue affecting online customers across the country. According to the New York City Department of Transportation, an estimated 90,000 pieces of luggage are lost or stolen every day in New York City alone.
“I just tried to set an example for people who are doing the same thing…stealing from others,” Mejia told Storyful.
WATCH: Cops lured with fake murder confession, exchange gunfire at hotel: body camera
Carlos Mejia of Queens, New York, said he was “done” to set traps and thwart porch pirates and would-be thieves. (@Losmej31/TikTok)
A video from Mejia’s home security system, which he uploaded to TikTok, shows a thief wearing a green sweater with “Excellence” written across the chest, casually opening the gate to Mejia’s home and carrying a box of decoys behind him. It shows how it is stuffed into a pack.
When the gate opened, Mejia ran out of the house like a bull, holding a bat.
New York’s pet alligator seized by state: ‘Apparently attacked a terrorist’s home’: owner
Startled, the would-be thief raised his hands in desperation and said,
With his bat resting on his right shoulder like Babe Ruth, Mejia pointed at the suspect and repeatedly asked, “What’s in there?”
Porch pirates steal packages from decoys set up by homeowners in Queens. (@Losmej31/TikTok)
The man said it was just his belongings and told Mejia he could take everything. The angry house owner forced him to his knees.
“I don’t care,” he barked at the man. “Please kneel.”
Teacher’s children kidnapped by husband in ‘disguise’ and found with murdered mother
The suspect was identified as Victor Stazzone, a 36-year-old man who was allegedly seen doing the same thing in another video.
Mejia uses TikTok to warn people against porch pirates. He uploaded several videos showing criminals casually coming to his home, stealing packages as if they were grabbing his mail, and then leaving.
“Finally caught the thief with the decoy box,” Mejia wrote in a now-viral TikTok video.
The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Victor Stuzzone. (@Losmej31/TikTok)
1 in 4 consumers report package theft: survey
According to one survey, approximately 26% of consumers said their package had been stolen. Survey by Chamber of Commerce and Industrywas released on January 19th.
According to a study by the Chamber of Commerce, one in four online customers have had their packages stolen by porch pirates. (Chamber of Commerce and Industry research (January 2024))
According to a Chamber of Commerce study released in January 2024, most customers (88%) track their packages.
According to the study, nearly half (49%) of porch pirates occur in single-family homes, and 42% of victims live in apartments or condominiums.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The survey showed that 22% of victims had a doorbell camera, but 38% believed cameras would not deter theft. Approximately 25% did not receive a refund for stolen items.
The average value of stolen packages was $81.91.
Fox News Digital’s Emmett Jones contributed to this report.
