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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO (KTVI) – St. Louis County police arrested a thief who was caught on camera stealing packages from a front porch in south county.

The victim referred to her as “the Granny Who Stole Christmas.” Well, she tried to. Police confirmed the 65-year-old suspect could be tied to three other cases of package theft.

Police are cautioning: Tis the season.

“You just think ‘Two-day shipping, I’ll pick it up when we get home from work that night,’” said St. Louis County Police Sgt. Shawn McGuire. “This time of year is really known for this type of stuff. Criminals know that packages are being delivered to people’s houses for Christmas.”

You may expect all those packages to draw criminals, but maybe not a criminal like this one.

“The (surveillance) video shows an elderly woman, almost looks like someone’s grandma,” said the victim, who asked not to be identified. “She just bends down, grabs them like they’re hers, and walks away.”

The victim had three packages stolen from his front porch in Oakville late Wednesday afternoon, just before 5:00 p.m.

His home surveillance camera caught what he and his wife missed: the same black, H3 Hummer passing their driveway four times in less than five minutes. Two minutes after the Hummer’s last pass, the thief walked onto the porch and took the packages.

“If you see any suspicious vehicles following a UPS truck or FedEx truck or you see a car non-stop circling around a certain neighborhood or a street, going back and forth at a slow rate of speed like they’re checking out a house, please get that license plate and call us immediately,” McGuire said.

“No one would expect an elderly (person), whether or not it’s a disguise, it sure looks like it’s just an elderly woman to me,” the victim said. “I would love for people to know and be aware this does happen. You see it on the news and you don’t think it’s going to happen to you. I’m just thankful we were able to have cameras and get some evidence for the police.”

He and his wife saw the packages when they got home from work but took the dog for a quick walk before bringing them inside, he said. The packages were gone when they got back.

They’re getting the packages back now. Charges are pending against the suspect.

Police suggest having packages dropped at your back door or arrange to pick up them up at the Postal Service, UPS, or FedEx, and let trusted neighbors know when you have an important delivery coming.