Home security camera captures holiday package thieves

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A man and a woman have been arrested after stealing packages from a home on Snow Street.

Robert Vanscoten reported the stolen items after receiving alerts on his phone from his front porch security camera.

The first alert was sent at noon notifying him that the packages had been dropped off, and could be clearly seen on the security footage on his phone. Less than an hour later, he received another alert that showed someone on his porch.

The police report stated that the video showed the two suspects on the victim’s front porch. At which time, the male knocked on the door and the female picked up the packages, before walking away and north onto Snow Street.

The victim told police he recognized the two suspects from walking around the neighborhood.

Robert Vanscoten identified the first suspect as Melvin Ray, who lives several blocks from him. He also identified the second suspect as Cathy Bryson by recognizing her address from a previous incident.

Both 47-year-old Melvin Ray Lerice and 42-year-old Cathy Darlene Bryson face property theft charges, and had a bond set at $6,000.