Hermosa Beach man poses as delivery driver to steal packages on porches

Here's one from Hermosa Beach police Sgt. Bob Higgins:

Suspect:  Christopher Brown Porterfield
            44 Years old, white male
            Hermosa Beach resident

Charge: Grand Theft- 487 PC
            Possession of Stolen Property- 496 PC

Bail:  $20,000   

Suspect Vehicle: 1997 White Volkswagen Vanagon


Synopsis:
The suspect claims to be a delivery man while attempting to steal a package from a resident's porch.  The suspect leaves without the package.  The suspect is later stopped in the area by HBPD officers.  Other stolen packages are discovered in his vehicle.
    
Details:
On 12-19-2008 at approximately 10:30 a.m. HBPD officers responded to a possible theft of mail packages in the area of Circle Drive in Hermosa Beach.  According to a witness, the suspect was loading an unattended mail package from the porch of a nearby residence.  When confronted by the witness, the suspect said he was a contract delivery man.  The suspect fled without taking the package.  Witnesses were able to obtain the license plate off the suspect's vehicle. 

HBPD officers stopped the suspect in the area near his vehicle a short time later.  Officers discovered other stolen packages inside the suspect's vehicle.  The suspect was arrested and booked at the HBPD jail without incident.  The suspect is currently out on $20,000 bail.

The holiday season increases the number of package thefts.  Many times, these thefts go unreported to the police.  This suspect may be responsible for a series of package thefts that have been occurring in the South Bay Area.  Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Mick Gaglia at (310) 318-0360.