Van delivering Amazon packages stolen, recovered after police chase
Jan 28, 2019, 1:21 PM
(Photo courtesy of Oregon State Police)
(Photo courtesy of Oregon State Police)
There have been numerous incidences of so-called porch pirates nabbing Amazon packages from doorsteps. But one criminal appears to have skipped the middleman, and opted to steal an entire truck filled with them instead of going door to door.
On Sunday a U-Haul van being used to deliver Amazon packages in Seattle was stolen, leading police on a chase which ended in the Salem, Oregon area, according to a news release from the Oregon State Police.
Oregon State Police troopers first caught notice of the U-Haul van after receiving a complaint that it was driving recklessly on I-5, and soon determined that it had been stolen.
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They followed the van to a gas station in Salem and attempted to block it, but the U-Haul pulled out and collided with another motorist and a commercial vehicle, before ramming into the OSP vehicle.
While the damaged van was able to return to northbound I-5, it soon pulled to the side of the highway and the male suspect was apprehended by police without incident.
The driver faces charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, attempted assault on a police officer, and mail theft, among numerous other charges.
No injuries were reported, but if anyone in the Seattle area is missing their packages, they’re advised to call the Oregon State Police Dispatch Center at 1-503-375-3555 and reference OSP Case Number SP19-032026. One can assume that Amazon’s “Track Package” feature doesn’t account for stolen vans.
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