Haverford police warn of organized ring of thieves

Haverford police are warning residents to be vigilant of an organized band of thieves who are stealing iPhones from porches moments after they are delivered.

Haverford police Chief John Viola told township commissioners during their regular Monday night that it appears someone with inside information alerting thieves about deliveries.

“Where the information is coming from, we don’t know, but here have been multiple incidents – not just us but across the region – of cell phones stolen.”

Viola recommended that residents expected delivery of valuable items request that the carrier require a signature before leaving the item. He also reiterated the U.S. Postal Service recommendation that people sending valuables drop the packages off at a post office rather than a mail box.

Police say the targeted smart phone thefts started in late October and have been on the rise since then.