Man in custody after caught stealing packages twice in Durham neighborhood, possessing marijuana in jail

A porch pirate is in custody Friday after authorities in Durham County say he stole packages from a Durham neighborhood twice in the same day.

According to the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a call Thursday afternoon from a person walking in the Fairfield subdivision. The person said they spotted a man dressed in purple camouflage pants and a black sweatshirt stealing packages from porches.

Calvin Dalrymple, a longtime Fairfield resident, said he called authorities after he saw the man going from house to house grabbing packages.

"I was wondering what he was doing with that package I saw him pick up in his hand," Dalrymple said. "I said 'This can't be no Prime,' because he doesn't have a shirt..anything on that says he works for Amazon."

Dalrymple said he asked the man what he was doing with the packages from one home. The man, later identified as 33-year-old Christopher Staphon Campbell, said he was the resident of the home, which is when Dalrymple said he knew Campbell was lying.

"I've been here for a long time," he explained. "I know most of the neighbors and most of the neighbors know me."

Authorities located the Campbell in the subdivision carrying packages addressed to different homes in the neighborhood.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, their investigation revealed the Durham Police Department also found Campbell in possession of packages not addressed to him earlier that day. Police cited Campbell for misdemeanor theft and released him.

Deputies said Campbell denied any involvement in the thefts despite being caught with the stolen packages twice and identified by multiple witnesses.

Graham Brosnan, an 18-year resident of the neighborhood, said that while the thefts are "disappointing and frustrating," Fairfield is a great neighborhood.

Deputies took Campbell to the Durham County Detention Center. While being processed, authorities discovered Campbell had a bag of marijuana.

Authorities charged Campbell with possession of a controlled substance in a prison jail, a felony, and misdemeanor larceny charges.

The Sheriff’s Office said if anyone believes they are victims of package theft, they should:

• Call the delivery company and confirm the delivery
• Check with neighbors to see if they signed for items or brought them out of open view
• Call law enforcement to report the theft and then check with the credit card and insurance company to see if they cover replacement costs.

Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead offered the following advice to help prevent packages from theft:

• Sign up for alerts. Some carriers offer text or email alerts so that you know when a delivery will be made.
• Require a signature for delivery. Ask retailers to require a signature to make delivery so packages aren’t simply dropped off outside a house.
• Give instructions to the package delivery service. Some services let you indicate where to leave your packages if you’re not home.
• Have deliveries diverted to another address—maybe your workplace—or placed on hold if you’re on vacation.
• Use security cameras. You can install them inside and outside your home, allowing you to watch your property from anywhere and record any activity.
• Have packages delivered to a lockbox instead of having them left at your front door while you're out of the house.
• Be neighborly. If you see someone out of place or acting suspiciously, say something.

Dalrymple said he encourages to engage more with your neighbors so you can know if someone is stealing something from their homes.

"You have to make sure you have, at least once a year, conversations with your neighbors at least, so you know who they are and what they think," he said.