Police in one South Jersey town set a clever trap over the holiday season hoping to catch thieves and they say that it worked. Porch pirates are always an issue, especially around the holidays, when they steal packages that are delivered to homes every day. It’s an issue that the Glouceste r Township Police Department sees every year so, they decided to deploy packages of their own that had GPS tracking devices inside. “It will look like any other package that’s delivered,” Gloucester Township Police Department Lt. Paul Fisher said. “We are putting real goods inside that would be delivered around certain times of the year.” Someone took the bait in the Erial section of the township around 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 31 so police were able to monitor the stolen package’s movement, track it down and the man, identified as 59-year-old Brian Pope, who allegedly took it was charged. “As soon as it moves, we can start tracking,” Lt. Fisher said. “If you steal a package, there’s a good a chance you are going to get caught and there could be a GPS device inside.” One resident who lives nearby, Elizabeth Bullock, says that she always tries to grab her deliveries fast because she’s worried about someone getting away with her stuff. “You spent your money to buy something. You don’t want someone else to come get it,” Bullock explained. “My niece sent me a package on Dec. 16th and I still haven’t received it.” Police say that it’s always a good idea to take a package inside as soon as you can to avoid anyone stealing it. They say that home surveillance cameras are a great deterrent and are hoping more bait packages help too. “We will place them all over town in different areas where we think it could happen,” according to Fisher. “Don’t do it in our town, don’t do it all. Do not steal packages. We are going to catch you. We are going to prosecute you.” Pope was charged with theft of movable property and released from custody on a criminal summons. If you have any additional information for police regarding this case, please call the Gloucester Township Police Department at 856-228-4500. You can also submit a tip anonymously by calling 856-842-5560 or by texting “TIPGLOTWPPD” and your tip message to 888777. You can also click here. ...read more read less