Hello Fresh and Youfoodz food deliveries pinched from doorsteps by hungry thieves
Dozens of Melburnians have been left feeling grumpy and hungry with a recent spike in food delivery thefts leaving many without a meal on the table. And some residents suspect the distasteful thieves are stalking delivery trucks in a bid to time their hit.
South East
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Opportunistic thieves are pouncing on home food delivery packages with more Melburnians left hungry and frustrated amid the coronavirus crisis.
And from Cranbourne to Richmond residents have been left fuming as the thieves target parcels and meal plans, including Hello Fresh and Youfoodz orders, straight from their doorstep.
Dozens have taken to social media to complain over the past week with some residents speculating thieves are stalking delivery trucks in the early hours in a bid to time the perfect hit.
The Richmond 3121 Facebook group was brimming with complaints on Thursday with people opting to cancel their meal subscriptions and even setting alarms as early as 3am to bring their order inside before the culprits struck.
A recent post attracted more than 60 comments from residents who also had their boxes nicked over the past week.
“I ordered quite an expensive meal through Providoor … the box was stolen outside the front of our apartment block (just after) 5am (Thursday),” resident Katrina Bowe said.
“(My) husband was mildly impressed that he (the culprit) waited until curfew had lifted before doing his rounds to steal food.
“Providoor drivers do not wait at front doors and do not call you overnight, it’s just a text to advise the food has been dropped.”
The early morning hit came after more than 10 other residents reported their parcels had disappeared.
“Thanks heaps to the person who took my Hello Fresh delivery today on Palmer St,” Liz Espejo wrote
“Seriously, times are tough, I get it, but take a few items … not my groceries for the next two weeks.”
“This has happened to me so many times now … I have to set an alarm for 3am each week to try get it before it gets stolen,” Simmone Rose wrote.
“This is happening to so many people that I am wondering if someone is following the truck around the neighbourhood ready to pounce when left outside,” Elisabeth Trott said.
Richmond man Jonathan, surname withheld, was also left angered after he had $200 worth of Australia Post parcels stolen from his doorstep over the past two months.
“The amount of theft from letterboxes has increased dramatically since the injecting room was located at the end of our street,” he said.
“We have had to move our letterboxes — which were previously accessible on the street — to behind a gate … it cost more than $2000.”
It comes after Cranbourne West resident Eddie, surname withheld, was left without a pricey Youfoodz order on July 6.
CCTV footage showed the opportunistic thief pinching two boxes full of food and quickly walking away.
“Youfoodz delivered it at 2am and some woman snuck on the property about 4am. It was about $180 worth … my fiance is a nurse and she takes the meals for convenience,” he told the Leader.
“We didn’t report the incident to police as it was during the first lockdown and they have more important things to worry about.”
The thefts come after police stepped up their search for a woman who was caught on CCTV as she nicked food from the doorstep of an Ascot Vale property in April, with officers believing she was assisted by two males when she struck about 4.50am.
And when lockdown began in February, two men were arrested after a food delivery truck was stolen from Fountain Gate shopping centre about 8.30am.
“It is believed a delivery food van was parked and left running at the shopping centre on Overland Dr when it was stolen just after 8.30am,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.
“The offenders then dumped the van on Bangholme Rd near EastLink in Bangholme about 9.30am and ran from the scene.
“Police ran after two men and arrested them with the assistance of the K9 unit and Air Wing near Bangholme Rd and a firearm was recovered.”
A 21-year-old Chirnside Park man and a 31-year-old Keysborough man were arrested.
An Australia Post spokesman warned stealing parcels and mail after delivery was a criminal offence.
“We encourage customers to contact the police if they suspect their mail has been tampered with or stolen,” the spokesman said.
“Customers can sign up for a free MyPost account and choose from our different delivery options on how they receive their parcels, including redirected to a Post Office, a PO Box, or use one of our free 24/7 parcel lockers.
“Customers with any inquiries on their items are encouraged to contact us on 13 POST or online.”
Hello Fresh and Youfoodz were contacted for comment.
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