Local
Tiffin porch pirates: Man pleads guilty to theft, woman pleads not guilty to charge
TIFFIN, OH — A man involved in a string of “porch piracy” across the Tiffin area, where shipped packages were taken from porches, pleaded guilty to a theft charge Tuesday afternoon.
Christopher P. Chaffee, 36, of Tiffin, was charged with theft, a fifth-degree felony, and Angela A. Force, 39, also of Tiffin, was charged with complicity to theft, a fifth-degree felony.
Chaffee’s sentencing recommendation includes a three-year term of community control, 120 days in jail (w/ credit for 51 already served), and a drug abuse rehabilitation program at CROSSWAEH including twice-monthly drug and alcohol testing.
Ms. Force pleaded not guilty to the charge of complicity to theft.
During the week of November 26th, 2018 the Tiffin Police Department received more than 25 complaints of shipped packages being taking from the porches of local residences.
Officers began investigating these complaints and with the help of the community, officers were able to identify a suspect and the vehicle being used in these thefts.
During the evening hours of November 29th, 2018, Sgt. DeMonte located the suspect vehicle driving in the downtown area. The vehicle was stopped and two suspects identified in the case:
- Christopher P. Chaffee 36yoa Tiffin, Ohio
- Angela A. Force 39yoa Tiffin, Ohio
The investigation led to the recovery of $4,043.80 in stolen merchandise. Felony Charges for Theft and Receiving/Retaining Stolen Property have been forwarded to the Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office for presentation to the grand jury.
*Of the victims that reported their packages as stolen property, nearly all of their items were returned,” Chief Fred Stevens said.
