Video shows adults in New Mexico encouraging kids to steal packages from porches

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Surveillance video shows little kids trying to steal packages off a stranger’s doorstep, all while adults who are with them look on.

Chris Chartrand said video from his surveillance camera is disturbing.

His video shows what looks to be a family of four walking by his Nob Hill home Sunday.

“It looked like the mother, or adult woman, suggested they grab the boxes,” said Chartrand.

While the woman can never be seen fully on camera, a kid that looks to be seven or eight can be seen running up and trying to grab the packages from Chartrand’s porch, all while an even younger child and an adult male watch nearby.

“It’s sad to see that people would use their kids like that,” said Chartrand.

When the boy realized the packages are too heavy for him to pick up, the group takes off.

But about an hour later, the same adult man comes back. This time he’s without the kids. The video shows him grab the boxes, hop into an SUV and take off.

“It’s sad,” said Officer Tanner Tixier with the Albuquerque Police Department.

APD said they’ve unfortunately seen kids used to commit crimes before, but it’s not too common.

“In this case, this guy is looking at a possible child abuse charge,” said Officer Tixier.

When the video of the kids was shown to people around the neighborhood, they were shocked.

“They’ve got to be like four or five, that’s extremely early and then it’s obviously going to go from there if they think it’s right,” said one neighbor.

“I just feel for the children. I really do,” said another neighbor.

Chartrand did call the police and share the video with them. APD is investigating.