Polk County porch pirate stole packages, planned to regift them for Christmas

In Winter Haven, a porch pirate, identified as 32-year-old Kensley Mott, was captured on home surveillance camera stealing packages this holiday season.

The incident occurred in the Sun Ridge Village subdivision between noon and 12:30 p.m., as Mott, driving a red truck, brazenly approached a victim’s porch, seized packages, and swiftly fled the scene.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Mott had targeted an Amazon truck, promptly stealing packages recently delivered by the unsuspecting driver. Interestingly, this was not an isolated incident, as the victim discovered a previous attempt to pilfer a neighbor’s packages just a week prior.

“It’s that time of year when porch pirates are most prevalent. If at all possible, have your packages delivered when someone will be home, to a friend or neighbor’s home, or to your place of business. If not, invest in a security system that alerts you immediately when someone is on your porch. This prolific thief is probably going to spend Christmas behind bars this year,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Through meticulous detective work, Polk County investigators utilized the security footage to trace Mott’s identity and the getaway truck.

This led them to a Pizza shop in the Wahneta area, where Mott was apprehended during her work hours. Shockingly, Mott confessed to the theft, stating her intention to re-gift the stolen items during the Christmas season.

Unveiling a history of criminal activities dating back to 2016, Mott’s record includes arrests for petit theft, grand theft, and narcotics possession.

Subsequently, she was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on charges of grand theft, felony petit theft, and two counts of burglary of a dwelling.