'Porch pirate' caught on camera stealing holiday gifts from several Milwaukee homes

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- With Christmas just days away, many people may be expecting packages in the final moments leading up to the big day. But also waiting, are so-called "porch pirates," or people who steal gifts from porches.

Several residents on Milwaukee's south side have shared surveillance videos showing what appears to be the same person running up to porches and stealing packages.

"I figured my wife had just moved it. I went to see when it came, and I found someone walking up to our porch and taking it," said Joe Rodriguez.

His cameras caught the whole thing. You see the person pull up, get out of the driver's side of the car, leaving the door open, then walking up to Rodriguez' home, reaching over the gated porch, stealing the package, and driving away. It happened in under two minutes, just after 2 p.m.

"It was very frustrating because usually we order stuff from Amazon and it comes in a couple of days. I ordered this a good month, month-and-a-half ago, and it finally came. So, it was quite upsetting," he shared.

"I wish I could make them live life in everybody else’s shoes and show them how much they’re hurting other people. How they don't care, I don't understand."

Even as some take precautions, asking for packages to be hidden with signs on doors, those instructions were ignored; the package was left outside, then stolen. Rodriguez' video shows the same Jeep driving in front of the home on the corner of 37th and Branting. Within 30 seconds, someone gets out of the passenger side door, snatches the package, and drives off.

Half a mile north, someone in the same jacket is seen in another surveillance video taking another package. Inside the package, the homeowner says, was a four-wheeler and a baby jumper.

Neighbor Nubia Placencia expressed her sadness over someone taking, instead of leaving, this holiday season.

"It's so sad that they're being robbed, especially now that it's Christmas. People make many sacrifices to buy gifts for their children. And given the current situation, where there's less money, it's even sadder."

Rodriguez says the stolen gifts were meant for his grandchild and he wishes the person responsible had asked for help instead of stealing.

"With so many people out there, including myself and organizations that are willing to help, all you have to do is ask for help and not have that pride... instead you just take, it’s not fair."

He went on to say that his family and grandchild will be fine and will find other presents, but he wants to let the community know that packages are being stolen in broad daylight.

Milwaukee police say they are still looking for the suspect(s). If you have any information, you're asked to contact Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7220 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips.