NYC woman confronts package thief in her building: 'You're not taking anything'

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) – A New York City resident described the daring confrontation she had after she caught a woman trying to steal packages in her building earlier this month.

The incident happened inside an apartment building near Fulton Street and Washington Avenue in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood around 7:20 a.m. on Jan. 8., according to the NYPD.

Stephanie, a 49-year-old woman who lives in the building, said she became suspicious after she heard her bell ring that morning.

“She rang my doorbell. It’s 7:30 in the morning, and I’m like, ‘Who’s calling me at 7:30 in the morning?’ And when I went out, I looked and I didn’t know who this person was at all. But she had gotten through the first door,” Stephanie said.

The woman pictured is accused of trying to steal packages from an apartment building in Brooklyn on Jan. 8, 2025, according to police. (Courtesy of NYPD)

Stephanie noticed the woman walking around in the lobby of the apartment building and asked her where she was going.

The woman allegedly started yelling at Stephanie. She was allegedly trying to steal packages and mail left inside the building. That’s when Stephanie stepped in to stop her.

“You're not here for anybody in this building. You're not taking anything from me. You’re not taking anything from my building. That’s not going to happen,” Stephanie said.

The package thief bit Stephanie’s hand, but she didn’t back down.

“I got the packages back from her and shoved her out of the building,” Stephanie said.

The suspect then fled in a gold BMW SUV.

Stephanie had a message for the woman, who hasn't been seen since.

“Stay away from my building because I won’t be as nice next time,” Stephanie said.