Suspected package thief’s victim speaks out

Yuma Police arrested 25-year-old Sebastian Cortez on Wednesday for allegedly stealing packages.

One of those packages belonged to Kellan Trammel, a Yuma resident, who caught Cortez in the act.

“It was 3:51 p.m. My ring doorbell caught the U.S. Postal Service delivering it and then nine minutes later was when the package was stolen off my front porch,” said Trammel.

He posted about the theft on Facebook and with the help of his neighbors, Trammel was able to get police video and clear photos of the suspects.

“Thankfully, now people have surveillance cameras. Some in front of their houses and somebody actually got a license plate of the suspect’s vehicle,” said Sergeant Lori Franklin, Yuma Police.

Police were able to arrest Cortez a couple days later.

After the experience, Trammel reached out to his mail carrier and asked how he could prevent this from happening again.

“Our mail carrier said they can do whatever we want to. If we wanted to put a lockbox somewhere in the front yard. If we wanted to get a mail delivery at a separate location. If we wanted them to go in our backyard and drop it off somewhere. They were super receptive,” said Trammel.

YPD also offered suggestions on how to keep your packages safe.

“Keeping an eye out. If you know you’re not going to be home and you don’t have a home surveillance camera, try to get the package delivered to your house or try to have it delivered to a friend or a family member that you know is going to be home,” said Sgt. Franklin.

YPD said that Cortez had a female accomplice that has not yet been booked.

Cortez was seen at Yuma Municipal Court Thursday.