A 13-year-old home alone did everything right when he thought someone was breaking into his house — but the “burglary in progress” turned out to be a delivery gone wrong.
Just after 5:30 p.m., the teen called Portsmouth Police in a panic, reporting a man in an Adidas hoodie, white hat, and ski mask trying to get in through the side gate. Multiple units raced to the scene, prepared for a possible prowler.
Instead, they found… a UPS driver.
Officers confirmed the man was legitimately delivering a package — he simply wasn’t wearing his vest at the time, which made the situation look a lot scarier to a kid home alone.
Police reassured the teen and cleared the scene. No crime, just a very enthusiastic delivery attempt.
Holiday Delivery Season = More Confusion. Here’s How to Stay Safe (Without Calling SWAT on the UPS Guy)
With porch pirates everywhere and delivery workers hustling in cold weather, mix-ups happen. Here’s how to protect your home and avoid mistaking the Amazon driver for a ninja assassin:
✔️ 1. Teach Kids What Delivery Workers Actually Look Like
- Uniforms vary — but so do hats, hoodies, jackets, and masks in winter.
- Many legitimate drivers wear ski masks for warmth and don’t have time to fix their vest every stop.
✔️ 2. Use Cameras or Doorbell Systems
A quick glance at a doorbell cam saves a lot of panic.
If you don’t have one, now’s a great season to grab a sale.
✔️ 3. Never Open the Door if You’re Alone
Kids especially should:
- Stay quiet
- Stay inside
- Call a trusted adult or 911 if something feels wrong
(Just like this teen did — big gold star. ⭐)
✔️ 4. Know Your Delivery Schedule
Most carriers now provide:
- Package tracking
- Delivery window alerts
- Photos of the package at your door
Share those alerts with older kids or babysitters if they’re home alone.
✔️ 5. If You Aren’t Sure — Call
Police would rather check and find a delivery driver than miss a real threat.
📦 Bottom Line:
No crime this time — just peak holiday confusion.
But the teen handled it responsibly, officers responded quickly, and everyone went home safe (except maybe the UPS guy, who now has a great story for breakroom lore).
Stay alert, stay safe, and maybe remind your delivery drivers to put on their vests.
