Denver Couple Fights Back Against Porch Pirates with Fake Packages

As the holiday season brings a surge of deliveries to doorsteps across Colorado, it also attracts the attention of porch pirates. Colorado ranks 10th in the nation for package theft, according to a report by Lombardo Homes. One Denver couple, fed up with repeated thefts, decided to take matters into their own hands—by setting out fake packages for thieves to steal.

Turning Frustration Into Action

Sarai Vazquez and Martin Jurado, who live off North Federal Boulevard, have endured more than 40 stolen packages in their three years at the property.
“It was like within a matter of minutes that we would get our things taken,” Vazquez said. “We’d get a picture of the package being delivered, but by the time we got to the door, it was gone.”

The couple tried various methods to deter thieves, including using locker delivery options for high-value items. But even that felt inconvenient.
“It’s a hassle,” Vazquez admitted.

An Unconventional Idea

One day, Jurado had a lightbulb moment inspired by his own trash troubles.
“I kept missing trash day, and the trash was piling up,” Jurado explained. “So I thought, ‘Why don’t we just put the trash in Amazon packages and let people steal it?’”

The couple decided to test the idea with a large USPS box they had been using as a trash container. Jurado taped it up, placed it on their porch overnight, and by morning, the package was gone.

Turning the Tables on Thieves

The fake package strategy quickly became a routine. Dozens of fake packages filled with trash have since been stolen from their porch.
“He’s like, ‘We don’t even have to pay for trash service anymore at this rate,’” Vazquez joked.

As the “free trash removal service” continued, something unexpected happened: the couple noticed a decline in actual package thefts from their porch. While it’s unclear if their creative deterrent is solely responsible for the slowdown, the couple feels a small sense of victory over the thieves.

Fighting Back with Humor

Vazquez and Jurado’s unconventional approach has turned a frustrating situation into a source of humor and empowerment. Their story highlights the growing problem of porch piracy in Colorado while offering a clever and amusing way to fight back. As the couple puts it, if porch pirates are going to take something, it might as well be trash.