STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WWJ) -- A pair of suspected "porch pirates" were arrested by undercover police officers in Sterling Heights on Wednesday night after stealing a package in front of the officers.
Sterling Heights police say the suspects, whose names have not been released, are believed to have stolen delivered packages off the front porches of at least two homes in the community. A man and a female accomplice were arrested by undercover officers Wednesday.
The two stopped and stole a package Wednesday night, in view of undercover officers who had been tracking them for weeks, after a surveillance video had previously caught the man stealing off a porch.
"Like most communities, porch pirates have targeted homes in Sterling Heights where packages are delivered to homes with the homeowners being away," Sterling Heights police said in a statement.
Detectives were assigned to a porch pirate case and an investigation led to a suspect, who was "found to be lurking" in the community. The department's Community Response Unit conducted surveillance on the suspects and finally captured them making a wrong move on Wednesday.
"Because of this outstanding teamwork, this particular porch pirate is off the streets," authorities said.
Authorities say the package of stolen goods was recovered, but police did not say what had been stolen.
Formal charges and arraignment are expected to take place Friday.
