(SILVERHILL, Ala.) - Packages are disappearing from doorsteps and some say thieves are to blame. Police say this type of thing happens every year before Christmas.
Police say thieves are following a delivery truck to someone's house and as soon as the delivery person leaves, the thief swipes the package and takes off.
"It's just shameful," said Silverhill resident Ashleigh Mooney.
Mooney doesn't have the video to prove it, but she believes it's very possible someone stole from her in the same Grinch-like fashion.
"On Thanksgiving Day, I went online and purchased $300 worth of clothing," said Mooney.
According to the FedEx tracking online, her package arrived Wednesday.
"To my surprise it said delivered and that it was placed on my front porch at 7:42 p.m. I immediately had a panic attack because I'm thinking it's not here, what am I going to do? This is my husband's, my son's, my daughter's Christmas presents," she said.
"I'm kind of upset. I think there's someone trying to steal presents for their families," said her 11-year-old daughter Kailey Mooney.
Whether the delivery was stolen or lost, there's still no sign of the gifts that should be under her Christmas tree.
"It's sad because my husband and I work really hard for the things that we have and my kids deserve to have a good Christmas. But at the same time, if someone is desperate enough to steal something, they're needing and hurting. But that still doesn't make it right," said Mooney.
To avoid being a victim, have packages delivered to work, require a signature, or have a neighbor look out for deliveries.
"I would just say next time I'll go to the store next time and not have it shipped to my house," Mooney said laughing.
During the holidays, one billion packages will be delivered. The U.S. Postal Service had more than 2,000 reported mail thefts last year.
