Package Thieves Target Preston Hollow Holiday Deliveries

The Dallas Police Department’s Northeast Division has logged 47 package theft reports since Thanksgiving in the Preston Hollow area alone, up from 31 during the same period last year. Most incidents occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when residents are away from home.

“These aren’t sophisticated operations,” said DPD Lieutenant Maria Santos, who oversees property crimes for the area. “Thieves drive through neighborhoods looking for packages on doorsteps. It takes thirty seconds.”

Residents on Walnut Hill Lane reported losing packages containing jewelry, electronics, and clothing worth thousands of dollars. Security cameras captured suspects in sedans and pickup trucks grabbing boxes within minutes of delivery.

“I watched it happen from my office window,” said Preston Hollow resident Jennifer Walsh, whose $800 designer handbag disappeared from her front porch Tuesday morning. “The delivery truck hadn’t been gone five minutes.”

The thefts mirror patterns across North Dallas, where affluent neighborhoods with frequent deliveries create target-rich environments for opportunistic criminals. Highland Park and University Park have reported similar increases.

Police recommend having packages delivered to workplaces or using Amazon lockers at Preston Center. Ring doorbell systems have helped identify suspects but rarely lead to arrests unless thieves are caught in the act.

“The risk-reward calculation favors the thieves,” Santos said. “Low chance of getting caught, high value merchandise.”

Some Preston Hollow residents have hired private security firms to monitor deliveries during peak shopping season. Others coordinate with neighbors to collect packages when homeowners travel.

The problem intensifies as retailers extend holiday shipping deadlines, creating more delivery opportunities through New Year’s Day.