Tempe Police Nab Porch Pirate in ‘Operation Secret Santa’ Holiday Crackdown
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Tempe Police Nab Porch Pirate in ‘Operation Secret Santa’ Holiday Crackdown

Roman Lopez Arrested After Bait Package with Tracking Device Leads Police to Suspect

PHOENIX — Tempe police arrested a suspected porch pirate on Sunday as part of Operation Secret Santa, a holiday crime deterrence initiative.

Roman Lopez, 28, was charged with possession of stolen property after officers tracked him down near Baseline Road and Hardy Drive, according to the Tempe Police Department.

How Operation Secret Santa Works

The program, which began on November 18 and runs through the end of the year, uses bait packages equipped with tracking devices placed on porches in neighborhoods across Tempe. Volunteers allow these packages to be set up to help deter and catch package thieves during the busy holiday season.

How Lopez Was Caught

Officer Cody Conklin, in a video posted to Instagram, explained how the tracking device led him to Lopez.

“The device made noise from inside his backpack, which matched the Ring camera footage from the home where the bait package was taken,” Conklin said. “The same backpack and the suspect’s build confirmed he was the person who took the package.”

Holiday Safety Reminder

Operation Secret Santa highlights the importance of holiday theft prevention. Authorities urge residents to take precautions, such as tracking deliveries, bringing packages inside promptly, and using security cameras, to help reduce package theft during the holidays.

Tempe Police Department’s proactive efforts ensure that porch pirates won’t steal the joy of the season from unsuspecting residents.