A Newhall man is trying to identify a neighborhood thief caught on camera, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials said Thursday.
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Steve Shatkin went on Amazon and ordered a Go Pro camera harness meant to fit a dog, he said. The owner of a metal fabrication company said he was looking forward to a “dog’s eye view” of the family pet.
Once his package arrived at his Peachland Estates home on the 24500 block of Peachland Avenue on Jan. 26, a younger, brown-haired man in a black sweatshirt can be seen walking up to his doorstep, putting the package under his sweatshirt and then returning to his walk.
The video can be seen here.
The suspect apparently failed to see the security camera system that’s visible from his driveway, Shatkin said.
“The cameras are in plain sight,” he said, “when you’re walking up, they’re right there.”
After posting the video, which received tens of thousands of views within the first few days of its posting, Shatkin received numerous calls and help, he said.
He also delivered more than 250 fliers around his neighborhood, and believes the suspect probably lives nearby.
“Everyone has been trying to help,” he said, “the community has been very responsive.”
Based on the information he received and reviewing the video, he was able to determine the lettering on the back of the sweatshirt traced back to a Muay Thai gym on Peachland near his home, he said.
As far as the Go Pro harness goes, he was happy Amazon obligingly replaced the stolen merchandise.
But he also expressed concern about the suspect, and he’s hopeful the incident can be used to teach a lesson about stealing to the young suspect.
“I’m a big proponent of dealing with the kids in a prevention scenario,” he said, “instead of putting a Band-Aid on the problem.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121.
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