‘It feels violating’: Clay County warns holiday porch pirates are lurking

CLAY COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) - A woman has been charged with stealing packages across Clay County over the weekend, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office warns to beware of porch pirates.

Kayley Worthington, of Excelsior Springs, is charged with one count of felony theft and one count of felony possession of a controlled substance.

A search warrant was served and deputies recovered at least 51 stolen items from at least nine households across the county. The sheriff’s office says it’s a heightened problem this time of year with thieves looking to take your Christmas presents. In this case, the pirates took $2,300 worth of items.

“As online shopping increases, so does the problem of package theft,” said Clay County Sheriff’s Office public relations manager Sarah Boyd.

A recent string of package thefts across Clay County from over the weekend is something unlike anything police have seen in recent years. There were 51 items taken off porches in Smithville, North Kansas City, and Liberty with the same hands. According to the sheriff’s office, Worthington, 24, told detectives she was following an Amazon truck.

They are also looking for a male suspect who may have been working with her.

“The Northland feels small but at the same time, it’s really big. But even at my daughter’s dance studio, four families were affected there,” said package theft victim Cortney Myers.

Myers learned her house in North Kansas City was hit on Wednesday morning when she received a notification on her ring camera.

“It feels really violating,” said Myers.

Myers said it all happened in a matter of minutes. Her entire family was home when the package was delivered to her doorstep and eight minutes later it was gone. According to the ring camera footage she provided to KCTV5, you can see what appears to be a white woman with long dark brown hair walk up to the doorstep of her home, pick up a package, and walk off.

Myers said the thief made off with $75 dollars worth of car parts. She is working with law enforcement to have her items returned.

“In this case, we can use those photos. Law enforcement can use those photos from the security cameras to identify you and also it comes with jail time. It comes with fines. It’s not worth it,” said Boyd.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office suggests property owners have their items delivered to an Amazon locker, secure pickup location, or workplace. They could even coordinate to have it picked up by a neighbor.

“We’re concerned that those pattern crimes will continue if they don’t get reported,” said Boyd.

There are about 30 stolen items in this case that remain unclaimed. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone affected by package theft to report it to their local police department.

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