Lakewood porch pirates pinched for pilfering packages

LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Lakewood police arrested two alleged "porch pirates" in connection with multiple package thefts from across the city.

DeAngelo Latham, 18, of Bedford and Keontay Jones, 19, of Cleveland, were arrested on Dec. 15 and charged with four counts of theft each, according to Lakewood police.

A resident who was notified about a package delivery but couldn’t find the package at his residence checked his security camera and found footage of a man taking his package and driving off in a Ford Explorer, authorities said.

Another resident reported a similar incident where the same man pilfered a package off a front porch on Lark Street. The man drove off in the same vehicle but struck a nearby car when he was leaving.

That afternoon, authorities pulled the Ford Explorer over and discovered a multitude of packages inside, police said. Latham and Jones were then arrested.

Authorities say seven front porch thefts were investigated and cleared, but dozens of new items that were found that without an address were also recovered.

Residents who may be missing items and can show proof of purchase are asked to call Lakewood police at 216-529-6763.

GALLERY: See images of the recovered items here

Police are also asking anyone who witnesses suspicious activity in their neighborhood to call and report it.