Salem Package Thief Caught on Video [VIDEO]
A Mason Street man is hoping this surveillance footage will help prevent other package thefts in Salem.
When Salem resident Bill Bushong's pet bird started getting into mischief by sticking its head throught the bars of it's birdcage, he knew it was time to order a new one.
So, right before Christmas, Bushong went online and arranged to have a $300, 64-pound birdcage delivered to his home on Mason Street.
Unfortunately, when the packaged arrived, Bushong realized that the company sent him a cage that was too large - so he left it on his front porch to be picked up as a return package.
That was the last time he saw it.
When Bushong returned from a business trip and saw that the package was gone, he called the pet supply company to confirm that a new birdcage was on its way and received word that the first one never shipped.
It was when he reviewed surveillance footage from a camera mounted on his front porch that Bushong realized the package had been pilfered - and he was shocked to see that it was stolen in broad daylight.
"To do this at 12:59 in the afternoon, in broad daylight, tells me it isn’t her first time," Bushong said of the thief he caught on video.
At 1:31 p.m. Christmas day, Salem police officers responded to Bushong's house to discuss the theft, according to that morning's police log post.
"My guess is that this person thought it was a flat-screen TV or something since the box looks similar," Bushong said. "And at 60-70 pounds (65 to be exact), it feels about right as well."
In an attempt to prevent other city residents from falling victim to similar thefts, Bushong was nice enough to send along the surveillance footage captured by his front porch camera.
Have you been the victim of a similar crime in Salem? Let us know in the comments section below.
Lisa Dolloff
10:40 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
She just... walked right up... and took it. Like everything was cool? I can't wait until that rotten waste is caught.
Jack Carver
10:49 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
She looks familiar, Looks like a woman that lives on Mason near you Bill.
Enza Cicero-Lilley
11:56 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
OH WOW...she walked up without even blinking!! She acted like it was an every day thing!
Patricia Reed
8:07 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I was thinking the tape was very clear, much better than most security tapes I have seen, she should hopefully be identified soon.
Bill
8:46 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Thank you for all the support! 7News and FOX News just came by to get the story as well! I will keep my eyes open Jack! Thanks!!
Jack Carver
6:01 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Saw it on the news last night and this morning, I would Check the footage for the cars going by before she gets on the porch, She must have been watching it for a while then drove by in her car. Im thinking the Mack park side of mason after National lumber
Bill
9:32 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/20481556/birdcage-thief-caught-on-home-security-camera
justin case
9:46 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
P.O.S Skank!.
Bill
10:40 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/12009479356599/woman-caught-on-camera-stealing-package-off-porch/
Bill
10:41 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
http://www.myfoxboston.com/video?clipId=8122286&topVideoCatNo=238258&autoStart=true
Marta Stasio
11:23 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I live on Mason street and have had numerous items stolen from my mailbox including my passport and my house being broken into.. I have all my packages sent to my parents house now .. My Sunday paper gets stolen about once a month. I am so sick of it.
Josie Wales
8:17 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I can't wait till she gets caught. Her parents should drag her into the police station to teach her a lesson in life. I have 8 cameras to catch these idiots on my property. Maybe Salem should install a camera on Mason St if there are so many thefts. Just Saying.
Roberta Conners
8:23 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I live on Essex st in Salem near the common and I saw that woman on my street going through trash this past fall, she seems to regularly look through people's things, she had a person driving a van and she was the passenger, they spoke Spanish. I remember her because che didnt look like a regular trash picker. It's sad to say but be careful what you leave outside your house!
Maggi Smith-Dalton
10:52 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I trust the birdcage was large enough for her to inhabit when they catch her! That woman just... I can't believe how matter-of-fact she was. Yikes. This is why we have always since day one had all our packages and mail delivered to our business address. Never had to worry.
Josie Wales
1:13 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
She must be in hiding with all this publicity. Or she is high on drugs and don't care. Everyone in salem should find her and bring her in and set an example for all the other thieves out there. just saying.
Billie McGregor
9:54 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Offer a reward, somebody will turn her in for a few bucks.
Josie Wales
10:11 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Is money the only incentive to being an honest upright citizen? Doesn't a person feel good inside when they give of themselves rather than receive in this case a few bucks? I trust whoever knows her, like her parents, will turn her in or make her turn herself in.
Jared Robinson
10:59 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Well, sometimes money is needed to intice NOT so honest citizens to turn OTHER not so honest citizens in.
Josie Wales
11:07 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Good point. Shame though that today's society rests their morals on a price.
Jack Carver
11:45 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Put the video on youtube,
Carolyn Costain
11:47 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
I remember the days when a delivery person would not just leave a package without someone opening the door to receive it , Now they just toss them on the porch without care! I see many packages on porches, while walking my dog and the people are home so I know the deliverer did not ring their bell. The next time I see packages on porches and see that people are home, 'I for one, am going to start ringing door bells!." People can't afford losses today and the thieves need a stiff jail term!
Josie Wales
1:19 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Sure is taking Salems Finest a long time to bag this trash.
Jan Condon
10:56 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
We actually had two bushes stolen from the front of our house on Mason Street. It's
Pretty pathetic when people dig up your bushes.
Josie Wales
2:07 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
April 22 is Earth day. "We will plant a bush, a shrub and a tree to help beautify America". Pres. Johnson
Such lowlifes live in Salem now. And it takes so long to arrest this trash.
Jack Carver
6:04 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Is there any news on the package thief?
Josie Wales
6:25 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
The detectives said they have more important things to do. This is after they said they know who it is. What does that tell you? Swept under the rug probably because it was a friend or family member's daughter ot niece. Just saying.
Josie Wales
6:29 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Also they didn't like the national publicity. Fox was calling every other day for a follow up and for reasons I said they couldn't bag her. Fox was upset and was told they have more important things to do. What a joke!