In the modern age of Amazon and other delivery services bringing anything and everything we need right to our doorstep, there’s only one thing that can ruin the delivery experience: Porch pirates.
It’s one of those crimes that only the worst type of people will commit, and one man in the Yonkers, New York (yes, that’s a real place) would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for a meddling Ring security camera.
Francisco Jose Eder Mateo, the man who was caught stealing packages off of front porches, thought he was in the clear when he went up to various homes and took boxes off of them. What he didn’t know was that one resident alerted the police as soon as he saw Eder Mateo stealing his packages, which turned into quite the police and community response.
Yonkers Police Department posted a long message along with the video, which first stated:
“Christmas may be over, but the spirit of the Grinch is still alive in some people, especially Francisco Jose Eder Mateo, 27, of the Bronx.
Eder Mateo decided that he was going to steal some packages from the porch of one of our residents. Unfortunately for him, our 2nd Precinct Officers were ready for him.”
And ready for him they were, because before Eder Mateo knew it, he was being closed in on by a number of authorities in the area. The Yonkers Police Department roasted the criminal’s clothing choice before explaining how the foot race to catch him started, and ultimately ended:
“Despite his camouflaged jacket, Officers were able to spot Eder Mateo pretty easily. When they tried to stop him, he led them on a brief foot pursuit around the area.
This Good Samaritan got out of his car and knocked Eder Mateo to the ground, allowing the closely pursuing Officers to apprehend him.”
Though the police were in hot pursuit, the only way they were able to catch Eder Mateo was with a little help from a Yonkers resident. A man driving in his car saw what was unfolding and decided to take matters into his own hands, stepping out of his vehicle and viciously clotheslining the criminal fleeing the police.
Yonkers PD wrapped up their message by explaining what the porch pirate would be charged with, and how the community came together in this effort to apprehend him:
“Eder Mateo was charged with Grand Larceny 4th and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th (both Felonies), among other misdemeanors. At his arraignment, he was released on his own recognizance. This video shows what happens when everyone works together seamlessly to stop crime.
A resident sees a crime and quickly calls it in allowing Officers to get on the scene quickly, Officers flood the area to ensure the suspect can’t get away despite his attempted fleeing, finished off by a Good Samaritan who saw an opportunity to help our Officers capture a suspect and took that opportunity- right to him.”
You can view the video, which includes Ring Camera and body camera footage, below:
