Thefts on the rise in Fan area neighborhoods | News

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Police are warning people in the Fan and surrounding neighborhoods to lock up their stuff.

A new report from the Richmond Police Department said thefts are becoming more of a problem. Police say the majority of things stolen outside were left in plain view and not secured.

Criminals swiped nearly 20 items left unattended in the Fan, Randolph, and Maymont neighborhoods this past month, according to the Richmond Police Department's August community newsletter for Sector 313.

Cara Grealis, a resident of the Fan, says she tracked three packages she ordered online. She says they were delivered to her doorstep the same day, but never made it inside.

"When I got home, there were no packages to be seen anywhere," said Grealis.

Grealis said her neighbor noticed the delivery had arrived.

"She said when she got home from work that day, she had seen packages around 3:30 p.m.. Then when my boyfriend got home at around 5:00 p.m., there were obviously no packages to be found," said Grealis.

Now, Grealis is reconsidering what to write as her shipping address. "...Never had an issue with theft and packages, and it's made me rethink it," said Grealis.

Sometimes, companies will reship your online order for free. Grealis says two of the three businesses she ordered from did just that.

Police patrolling the Fan area are warning neighbors to secure anything they don't want stolen, from bicycles to even plants. One neighbor showed our cameras his rocking chair, locked to the porch, and the chips that his planters have suffered. He said thieves have tried to lift the pots in the past, dropping them when they realize how much they weigh.

However, bikes remain popular targets. Police say nearly half of the thefts reported in the Fan are bicycles. Jack Oliver, 16, says he and his family ride bikes regularly and have had their share stolen.

"Bikes we've had in the back yard have been stolen when we've kept them unlocked. I don't think we've ever had a bike stolen that's been locked up," said Oliver.

Police also warn the many college students returning to the area to make sure they secure their phones, iPods and computers before going to class.

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