Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Newport Beach Grinch Stealing Packages from Porches

newportgrinch.jpg
Suspected package thief (Photo by KTLA-TV)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

A real-life Grinch is among us! Melanie Kathleen Astin has been arrested in Newport Beach for stealing UPS, FedEx and other packages from the porches of homes all over the city, according to KTLA.After packages started missing and being tampered with a few weeks ago, a family setup a hidden security camera to keep watch on their porch. The camera captured a woman as she pulled up in a white car, walked up to the front door, and took a package that had just been delivered by UPS.

Astin was recognized in the surveillance footage which led to her arrest.

Police believe she hit up to 20 houses in Newport Beach snatching up packages as she went. Seems like splurging on that delivery confirmation or package insurance might be worth it after all.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today