Richmond man wanted for serial package theft caught after asking officers for a cigarette

Richmond man wanted for serial package theft caught after asking officers for a cigarette

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The suspect in a case of serial package theft was found and arrested after he asked Richmond detectives for a cigarette.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Richmond Police Department announced that it had made an arrest in connection with a series of package thefts.

Recently, in the early morning hours, Richmond detectives were in the city's downtown conducting surveillance when a man, identified as 59-year-old Aubrey Brown of Richmond, approached them. He asked them for a cigarette.

"Turns out, he was the very suspect they were looking for in a string of package thefts and burglaries," police said.

Suspect in serial package theft in Richmond. (Photo: Richmond Police Department)

The detectives took Brown into custody on nine outstanding warrants. Several stolen packages were also recovered.

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"Big thanks to our detectives for their persistence in this case and thanks to the community and apartment managers for providing information," police said.

If you are a victim of package theft in the city, call the Richmond Police Department at 804-646-5100.