SHALIMAR, Fla., Jan. 9, 2017–A call in reference to suspicious activity on Poverty Creek Road in north Okaloosa County led to the arrest of four Crestview residents suspected of stealing packages off a front porch.
Arrested were 17-year-old Victoria Clark, 26-year old Blake Allan Sienko, 18-year-old Brent Joseph Sienko and 20-year-old Zane Aaron Hall.
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies said an alert neighbor spotted two suspicious people go onto his neighbor’s porch around 3:30 p.m. Jan. 7 and return to their car carrying a package or packages.
The description of the car, a white or silver Toyota Prius with black rims matched the description of a vehicle involved in a previous package theft.
Thieves who steal online delivery packages from front porches are known as “porch pirates.” This criminal activity made headlines during the holiday season as U.S. mail service, FedEx, UPS and other package delivery services increased.
Sunday night, a deputy spotted a car matching the Toyota’s description on Airport Road coming from the direction of Poverty Creek Road. After making a U-turn, he spotted boxes lying along the side of that road as well as Barton Road.
Following a traffic stop, one of the suspects told deputies they found the packages on the side of the road.
Deputies however found stolen items inside the car ranging from work lights and cell phone chargers to fishing gear, along with labels removed from the stolen boxes.
Deputies arrested Clark, Blake Seinko and Brent Sienko on charges of burglary, petty theft and tampering with evidence. Clark was also charged with marijuana possession.
Hall was charged with burglary and petty theft.