Brazen porch pirate stole 20 packages worth $3,000 from Arizona homes, police say

Published: 05:21, 18 June 2026 | Updated: 05:21, 18 June 2026 A serial porch pirate who stole at least 20 packages worth $3,000 from Arizona homes was arrested, police say. Luan Nguyen, 28, was placed into custody on June 9 after he allegedly took part in a brazen four-month spree of stealing packages, according to 12News. Following the arrest, detectives searched his home and discovered multiple stolen items along with the clothing Nguyen had allegedly worn during the thefts. Police released dramatic footage of the raid on Nguyen's home, which also included several clips allegedly showing him snagging deliveries. Additionally, investigators said that the alleged porch pirate kept some of the items for personal use and sold others online. 'He was going throughout the city, as far as I know. Just targeting kind of the easy thefts, the packages that are sitting on people's front porches, that are there, that are easy for him to walk, run up and take,' Detective Robert Katz with the Mesa Police Department told 12News. 'I know they ranged in values, and from what I can tell, you don't know what's in the packages before you take them,' Katz added. The detective believed that Nguyen didn't even know what he was allegedly stealing. Luan Nguyen, 28, was arrested on June 9 after he allegedly began his four-month stealing spree of packages   Nguyen allegedly stole at least 20 packages worth $3,000 from Arizona homes He was booked into jail on charges of theft, trafficking in stolen property, and possession of dangerous drugs. Detectives are still investigating to identify additional victims. According to 12News, Nguyen made his initial court appearance last week. The rise in so-called 'porch pirate' crime - when crooks steal parcels left on doorsteps - has triggered a spike in vigilantes sharing doorbell camera footage of the brazen thefts in a bid to catch the culprits. A suspected thief died on New York's notorious Rikers Island less than 24 hours after a woman, also accused of stealing, died in custody, officials said. Umais Khan, 40, was behind bars after allegedly snatching packages from a SoHo building in early May. The suspect was found unresponsive in his bed at the Eric M. Taylor Center around 11am on May 19, according to the city's Department of Correction. Officials said following the arrest, detectives discovered multiple stolen items, along with clothing matching that worn by Nguyen during the thefts, at his home Police released dramatic footage of the raid on Nguyen's home, which also included several clips allegedly showing him snagging deliveries Staff at Rikers Island performed lifesaving measures on Khan until medical personnel arrived minutes later, but the detainee was unable to be saved and died at 11.20am, officials said. Khan, of Queens, was arrested May 5 and accused of prying open an apartment building door at MacDougal Street and Prince Street to steal packages, according to the NYPD. Police said the 40-year-old had a lengthy criminal record, with 21 arrests. His past offenses largely included burglary, petit larceny, and grand larceny. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.