‘All of our packages!’: Hungry Illinois family’s vacation ruined by porch pirate disguised as DoorDash driver

When the DePasquale family returned from vacation to their home in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, they interrupted porch pirates in the act, stealing Christmas gifts, winter gear, and cherished family keepsakes right off their front porch. What made the theft even more brazen was how the thief posed as a DoorDash delivery driver.

According to Illinois’ news outlet WGN, it was just before 4 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2025, when their doorbell camera captured a man walking up to their home carrying a red bag commonly used by DoorDash drivers. He began stuffing the family’s packages into the bag.

“On the way home, I had ordered a pizza for dinner, and I’m thinking it’s the delivery guy for pizza,” Sarah DePasquale said, assuming it had arrived.

But as the family pulled into the driveway, things became horrifyingly clear: “My husband was like, ‘Oh my God, he’s taking all of our packages and stuffing them in the DoorDash bag!’” DePasquale added.

The porch pirates fled

The theft unfolded in broad daylight and was interrupted only because the family came home about 30 seconds after the man began the heist. According to reports, the getaway driver honked the car horn as the family approached the house, and when he spotted the family returning, the thief bolted. “He started sprinting the minute he saw us pull in, and I thought that’s an odd reaction for a DoorDash driver,” Sarah said.

According to several reports, the loss is more than financial: the packages contained children’s snow boots, winter gear for dog walks, and even a custom ornament Sarah had ordered in memory of her mother, who passed away about a year ago. In total, the thief made off with roughly $500 worth of items.

The porch pirates cased their house

Meanwhile, after examining footage from their security cameras and those of neighbors, the DePasquales realized the theft was no spur-of-the-moment crime. According to Sarah, speaking to WGN, “He had driven by our house three or four times yesterday, so we could see the car slowly drive by and checking out our front porch. And throughout the day, we obviously accrued more packages and then, surprise, he stole them.”

The family reported the incident to local police, and authorities have begun investigating. Police and security experts warn that porch piracy is an increasingly common crime as online shopping and home deliveries surge during the holiday season. “It’s just violating and disappointing,” Sarah told ABC7 Chicago. “It just stinks, you lose everything.