Calera, Ala. (WBRC) – A man is behind bars in Shelby County after being arrested for allegedly stealing packages from doorsteps in a Calera neighborhood.
John Michael Woodard is now facing larceny/theft charges after multiple reports and video evidence pointed to him as a suspect in a series of package thefts in the Waterford subdivision.
According to Calera Police Chief David Hyche, the investigation moved quickly thanks to help from local residents. Several neighbors called in tips, while others submitted footage from doorbell security cameras capturing the thefts in action.
“Letting those citizens that helped us know that your tip resulted in an arrest — I think that’s important,” said Chief Hyche. “If you never hear back from police after reporting something, how likely are you to keep helping? That’s a mistake many departments make.”
Chief Hyche emphasized that transparency and communication with residents played a big role in the arrest, which occurred just days after the first reports came in.
Senator April Weaver, who recently sponsored legislation that increased penalties for mail theft in Alabama, praised Calera Police in a Facebook comment. She said she hopes the law continues to support law enforcement and protect communities from similar crimes.
As online shopping increases, so too do incidents involving “porch pirates” — but in Calera, residents and police are working together to stop them in their tracks.
