Police arrest Costa Almeria package pilferer

POLICE have arrested a 36-year old from Retamar for pilfering packages from delivery vans during lockdown.
The detention follows a surveillance operation in the area on the back of reports from several messenger and postal service employees about robberies from their vehicles while in the locality.
Investigators said D.R.F. watched out for vans from his home. When drivers got out to deliver to properties in the residence he sneaked out and forced the locks on the vehicles, snatching packages from inside. He would then hide the stolen packages under the parked van and go back and pick them up after the deliverer had driven off.
Police said the lockdown restrictions and the lack of people out on the street allowed the thief to get away with it without being noticed.
He managed get his hands on at least 18 packages. He then tried to sell stolen items on online second-hand sales sites.
Thanks to exhaustive online searches police have recovered some of the stolen items, including a top-of-the-range smartphone and sports shoes.