Jeremy Vine was left with nothing to open on Christmas day. A thief stole his presents, leaving him in tears as he tried to explain the situation to children who were waiting for their gifts.
Jeremy Vine has posted video of someone stealing the presenter’s Christmas gifts in broad daylight last week.
After being targeted on Christmas Eve after a DHL delivery, the Radio 2 broadcaster searched through surveillance video outside his house.
When the driver tried to deliver Jeremy’s item on the 24th, a box was put in the designated’safe spot’ indicated by Jeremy, before a guy pounced on the box and made off with the contents about half an hour later.
Jeremy wrote on Twitter about being struck by a Porch Pirate a couple of days ago: ‘I was hit by a Porch Pirate a couple of days ago.’ The @dhlexpressuk person leaves a package at 1125, and the Pirate shows up at 1207. Is he chasing after the van? He knew precisely where he needed to go. ‘Parcel was taken, and a nice neighbor discovered the package torn open 100 yards away.’
The presenter realized how the potential burglar knew where to look after the delivery guy departed after analyzing further surveillance video captured from a different point, overlooking his front entrance.
‘I’ve finally figured out EXACTLY how the ‘Porch Pirate’ hit my family over Christmas week,’ he stated. Okay, lesson learnt; I’ll never designate a giant open box as my safe haven again. ‘Take a look at this.’
Someone peered inside the designated’safe area,’ according to his surveillance video. (Image courtesy of Twitter)
The delivery guy can be seen trying to load off the item before considering knocking on the neighbor’s door before putting it off in the secure area specified by Jeremy if the family isn’t home in the video posted to his social media.
As the delivery is attempted, a figure wearing a black beanie and a blue face mask can be seen strolling in front of the house, before returning half an hour later on a bike and riding directly to the grey box to retrieve Jeremy’s item.
He was observed riding a bicycle when he arrived. (Photo courtesy of @theJeremyVine)
While Jeremy believed the DHL driver had ‘done nothing wrong’ by leaving a note for the delivery to be placed in the box, he wished he’d put a’small smoke bomb’ in the box to dissuade would-be burglars.
Most frightening of all, the ‘thief’ knocked on Jeremy’s front door, ostensibly impersonating a delivery guy.
Jeremy added on the footage, ‘Hope you liked our gifts buddy,’ revealing what he was waiting for.
The presenter, who was previously seen outside the studios, was not amused (Picture: GC Images)
The film infuriated the presenter’s fans, who shared their own experiences with ‘porch pirates,’ while others showed their creative purchases to keep delivery safe and sound away from sticky fingers.
‘I can’t believe what I’m witnessing!’ one astonished fan said in the comments, while the Met Police responded. The sheer audacity of it! Also, to knock on your door and pretend to be a delivery person.’
‘That’s quite horrible,’ said another, who was sharing some heated suggestions with several others. I hope the cost of replacing the items was not too high.
‘If feasible, have an open combination lock on the box and have the delivery person spin the tumblers so that the box is securely secured,’ says the author.
For further information, Metro.co.uk contacted Jeremy’s representatives.
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