Expecting a special package for the holidays?

Better not leave it on the front stoop.

Oak Harbor is seeing an uptick in thefts of packages off people’s front porches. Since yesterday, the police received reports of at least half a dozen box grabs.

“I can’t emphasize enough you should have a plan to deliver it to a secure location,” Police chief Ed Green said.

He thinks Seattle TV news coverage showing video of how thieves are pulling it off doesn’t help.

“People are opportunistic,” he said. “They see no one home and they go up and take it.”

He does want to alert locals to make sure they won’t get their holiday season ruined by nasty Grinch present snatchers.

He suggested getting a package delivered to your workplace. If your boss won’t like that, consider asking a neighbor at home during the day if you can have the package delivered there.

Some of the delivery services track packages well enough you can predict when they’ll show up to your neighborhood.

“I don’t remember this being an issue last year,” he said. “It probably happened but not as much.”

The police have a lead on at least one vehicle involved in the recent thefts.