Pennsylvania
Porch pirate just snatches package from homeowner’s hands mere seconds after it’s delivered: video
A brazen-faced porch pirate was caught on surveillance video snatching a package worth thousands of dollars right out of the hands of a homeowner in a matter of seconds.
The bold theft happened Tuesday in Montgomery County, PA, at around 3 p.m., when the victim, identified only as Henry, was retrieving the package containing six iPhones for his family, according to ABC 6.
The thief can be seen running up to Henry’s door, bolting past an Amazon driver dropping off another delivery, as the homeowner bends over to pick up the high-value package.
In a flash, the porch pirate — wearing a black “Guess” shirt and a black Philadelphia Phillies baseball hat — yanks the package away from Henry and runs off toward a light tan-colored sedan with tinted windows that was waiting for him at the edge of the property, the video shows.
“Once he gets in the back of the car, he just flew up the street,” Henry told the local news station.
The shameless robbery left the homeowner shaken.
“Now every time you open the door for delivery, you have to watch out,” he said.
He believes the thief targeted the package containing thousands of dollars worth of phones. Henry said he saw the same sedan drive past his house moments before the shocking theft.
“They see the FedEx, they u-turn and then they come up the block and come right in front of the FedEx,” he said.
Even odder — moments after the theft, Henry said he received a mysterious phone call from an unknown number asking him to return the six phones that were just stolen.
He explained what happened to the caller but was immediately hung up on.
“That’s kind of weird too,” Henry said. “Both of them happened at the same time.”
In Pennsylvania, stealing packages from someone’s front steps could now be considered a felony offense, thanks to a law signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in December that was officially enacted in February.
Senate Bill 527 has enacted stricter penalties for repeat offenders and people who steal higher-value packages.
The law makes porch piracy a third-degree felony if the value of the stolen items exceeds $2,000 or the accused thief has two or more prior convictions for mail theft.
Any thief convicted under the law can face up to seven years in prison.
An estimated $6 billion worth of goods were stolen by porch pirates across the US in 2023, according to statistics released by home security tip company SafeWise.
An estimated 113 million packages were nabbed off doorsteps, which was a 5% increase from 2022.
Over half of all stolen packages were delivered by Amazon.
71% of all packages stolen were valued at $100 or less, according to SafeWise.
Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report.
The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike.
Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.
Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.
The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists.
In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations.
According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future.
The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.
Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website.
It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.
However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list.
It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5.
“It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”
Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on cast vote records creates uncertainty for counties
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Charles “Yami” Frederick Jamison, age 83, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, formerly of Warren, Ohio, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Haven Convalescent Home.
Mr. Jamison was born December 2, 1942, in New Castle, a son of the late Charles N. and Anna (Callihan) Jamison and was a 1960 graduate of New Castle High School.
Charles worked as an order checker clerk for Packard Electric Company, Warren, Ohio, for 31 years, until his retirement in 1999.
A proud veteran, he served his country in the United States Navy.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Warren, Ohio and also attended Mass at Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church.
Charles spent his free time hunting and playing Euchre.
He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret I. Klann, Mary E. DeMarco and Catherine “Kay” A. Houk (Robert), all of New Castle and Susan J. Olson (Donald), Winfield, Illinois; his brother, Richard Jamison (Linda) of New Castle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA, 16101, and the Salvation Army, 240 W. Grant St., New Castle, PA, 16101.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Haven Convalescent Home for the care and support that Charles received over the years.
Calling Hours will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 13, 2026, in Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, 124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, with Rev. Aaron Kriss, as celebrant.
Interment: Castleview Memorial Gardens, Neshannock Twp.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles F. Jamison, please visit our flower store.
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