Arcadia Police Using GPS-Laced Packages To Bait-And-Track Suspected Package Thieves

ARCADIA (CBSLA.com) — During the holiday season, it's not uncommon to hear of more package thefts.

That's precisely why some residents as well as police in Arcadia decided to take action.

Randy Bixenman recently saw someone walk right up to his neighbor's doorstep and take a package, so he decided to do something about it.

"I just went over and said, 'That doesn't belong to you,' and they looked at me strangely and said, 'Oh, I was just dropping it off.' And I said, 'You're not from the post office,' " he said.

The Arcadia Police Department has also taken steps to put an end to package theft.

In just the past few weeks, police say six suspected career criminals have been caught, all of whom were arrested after the department used GPS-laced packages to bait-and-track them.

"Once the package is stolen by the suspect, an alert occurs at the police department and usually within a few minutes they're able to apprehend the suspects," Lieutenant Colleen Flores of the Arcadia Police Department said.

That's great news for Dee Reconnu who makes crystal bracelets. She says this year she's had several Amazon packages filled with supplies taken from outside her home.

"You paid for these items and then you have to go through the process of having to get an appeal to get the money back ... your credit cards," she said. "It's a hassle."

The Arcadia Police Department says the best way to prevent package theft is to be proactive and schedule deliveries when you're home.