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Holiday Bandit Takes Package From Front Porch In Ellicott City

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ)—As we approach Christmas, you may be expecting the last few gifts to soon arrive at your door. If so, Howard County police have a warning for you.

Monique Griego explains what's going on.

Police are trying to track down a woman, who was caught on camera stealing a package from a front porch in Ellicott City.  Investigators believe she may have hit other homes too.

Take a look at the woman you could call a gift grabbing Grinch.

Police say she's already stolen at least one package from the front porch of a home on Weston Drive in Ellicott City--a house that's armed with a total of four surveillance cameras.

They were rolling last Friday when a Christmas gift was dropped off. Then, 90 minutes later, the woman pulls up in a blue sedan, gets out, steals the package and throws it in the trunk of the car.

"I don't know what to think because this is pretty safe neighborhood. I've never heard of any crime activities in this area," said Satya Chalasani, neigbhor.

Neighbors are worried their packages could be next.

"I told the kids to look out for packages and make sure that they grabbed them as soon as they saw them so that none of our stuff was taken," said Sally Seen, neigbhor.

Police believe more people may have been robbed and not even know it.

"Make an effort to look around their residence. Look at back doors and side doors and make sure that the package isn't really there. Then, check with the company that's delivering it and if it's not been received but was delivered, they should call the police," said Sherry llewellyn, Howard County police.

Police are also warning delivery truck drivers to keep an eye out to make sure no cars are following them.

Police also encourage everyone to check the tracking numbers attached to shipments and try to be home when it's scheduled to arrive.

It's not clear if police were able to capture the license plate on that car.

Anyone who recognizes the woman in the video should call Howard County police.

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