Carlos Mejia, a Queens homeowner, became fed up with porch pirates stealing his packages and decided to take matters into his own hands. He set up a trap by leaving out fake packages on his doorstep in the hopes of catching a thief in the act. Mejia intended to make an example of those who steal from others, and his security camera footage captured the moment his plan worked.
In the video, a man is seen entering Mejia’s yard, grabbing a box from the front steps, and attempting to stash it in his backpack. Mejia, who had been waiting for this moment, emerges from his house brandishing a baseball bat. The suspect is visibly frightened as Mejia confronts him, but he attempts to justify his actions by claiming that the item he was trying to steal belonged to him.
The man pleads with Mejia to let him go and insists that he can keep everything, but Mejia continues to question him while holding the bat. The police were called, and the suspect, later identified as Victor Stazzone, was arrested. Stazzone, who is 30 years old, is facing charges of petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and criminal trespass as a result of his attempted theft.
Mejia’s actions offer a unique approach to dealing with porch pirates and sending a message to potential thieves. By setting up a decoy package and catching the suspect on camera, Mejia was able to hold the thief accountable and recover the stolen item. His proactive approach to protecting his property highlights the frustration that many homeowners face due to porch theft and the lengths they are willing to go to in order to combat it.
The footage of the confrontation between Mejia and Stazzone serves as a reminder of the risks that porch pirates take when targeting unsuspecting homeowners. Mejia’s decision to confront the thief directly shows his determination to put an end to the thefts that have plagued his neighborhood. The arrest of Stazzone and the charges he is facing are a direct result of his brazen attempt to steal from Mejia and the consequences he now faces.
Overall, Mejia’s actions have brought attention to the ongoing issue of porch piracy and the impact it has on homeowners. His decision to take a stand against theft in his neighborhood has sparked discussion about the best ways to protect packages and prevent future incidents. By setting up a trap and catching the thief in the act, Mejia has shown that homeowners can take control of their own security and deter criminals from targeting their property.
