Porch pirate caught after residents compile doorbell footage dossier

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 15:19 · Archive

Ronald De-St-Aubin, 61, stole parcels from homes in Parsons Green, west London, caught after neighbours compiled doorbell camera footage.

Ronald De-St-Aubin, 61, of Fulham, embarked on a months-long theft spree targeting parcels left on doorsteps in Parsons Green, west London. He stole deliveries containing wine, champagne, designer clothing and homeware worth hundreds of pounds. His activities began on 13 July, when he took an H&M parcel of children's clothing worth £196. Four days later, he snatched three boxes of wine and champagne worth £500 from Charlie Evans's doorstep, filmed by her Ring doorbell camera. Ms Evans had tried to reschedule the delivery but DHL dropped it off anyway.

She raised the alarm on a residents' WhatsApp group on St Maur Road, where she lived. Neighbours immediately responded to say they too had been victims. The same day, De-St-Aubin also stole an Isabel Marant designer jacket worth £60 from a Vinted parcel. He later took an Arket parcel of children's clothing worth £195.40 on 8 August and a ceiling light fitting worth £150 two days later. Residents described him as 'our thief' as his crimes continued.

Together, the homeowners amassed evidence of his activities, collecting images from their doorbell footage that showed his outfit and distinctive tattoos. They passed this 'dossier' to the Metropolitan Police, though the force initially said there was not enough evidence to arrest him. An eagle-eyed resident eventually filmed him on his iPhone after seeing him take a large parcel, and called police, though De-St-Aubin fled before officers arrived.

De-St-Aubin admitted six offences at Isleworth Crown Court and has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.

How it is being reported

• ‘Porch pirate’ fesses up after judge presents him with doorbell cam of his crimesParcel thief Ronald De-St-Aubin was caught thanks to residents’ footage of him on their porches (Picture: Central News) A persistent thief snatched pricey deliveries from west London porches during a weeks-long spree. Ronald De-St-Aubin, 61, plagued residents in Parsons Green, where he took…Metro · 8 Oct, 14:35
• Porch pirate who stole packages of wine, champagne and designer clothing in months-long thieving spree is caught after residents compiled 'doorbell footage dossier'Ronald De-St-Aubin, 61, robbed homeowners in the affluent Parsons Green, in west London, of parcels including champagne, designer clothing and wine.Daily Mail · 8 Oct, 09:31

In this story: Ronald De-St-Aubin · Charlie Evans · Parsons Green · Fulham · Metropolitan Police · Isleworth Crown Court

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