Cops Seek Thief Who Snatched Holiday Gift Packages From Doorstep

A man was caught on camera stealing packages containing holiday gifts from a Bronx doorstep in a brazen "Grinch-like" theft the aggrieved homeowner likened to "shopping in our driveway."

Police released surveillance video that shows a man appear on Meryl Martin's Doris Street doorstep in Castle Hill and snatch three packages shortly before 2 p.m. Monday.

Martin had been expecting the packages so when they didn't appear to arrive, she called the merchant and was told the gifts had been delivered. She got suspicious, checked her home surveillance system from her smartphone and saw the thief casually stroll up and help himself to her family's holiday gifts.

"It's like he went shopping in our driveway," said Martin, speaking exclusively to NBC 4 New York. "Especially for the children -- it's really sad, really sad and scary."

Martin said two of the stolen packages contained holiday gifts and the third contained children's clothing. A fourth package was left on the stoop.

Martin says she feels violated by the theft and hopes the surveillance video will help police track down the suspect.

She said she and her husband installed the security camera at their home following a previous burglary, and urged anyone who does holiday shopping online to be wary of having packages left on their stoops.

"You never know -- it could happen at anytime, anything," Martin said.