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Caught on camera: Doorbell security doesn't always lead to arrests

Security experts say you never know when it might pay off.

<p>Video doorbell footage of a package thief.</p>

From casual visitors to crooks, if you're not at home, you may never know who's been at your door.

But Latosha Boyer does. She has a doorbell security camera installed, which acts as her eyes and ears when she's not home. She can actually talk to the person at her door by using her cell phone from any location.

Weeks ago, the cameras picked up something sinister at her St. Charles home.

“I went back through all the film of the doorbell and there was this young lady and her friend stealing packages off porches and she just happened to steal it off the wrong porch because I caught her on film,” Boyer said.

via GIPHY

When someone rings her doorbell, it will alert her cell phone. Boyer can choose to answer the doorbell or simply ignore it. Either way there's a full recording of everything that's happening on her front doorstep.

But a recording of her husband’s medical equipment being stolen off her porch back in March hasn't brought the peace of mind Tosha hoped.

“Unfortunately the police haven't caught her yet,” said Boyer.

Police also haven't caught up with the thieves who ripped off another homeowner in the Central West End. The homeowner shared a video with us showing one of the three thefts he’s had so far this year on his property.

But security experts say you never know when it might pay off.

“Getting that description and having that more for your neighborhood watch formats, that helps determine 'Oh, I think I might know that person,' said Adam Fogal of City Wide Alarms. "The more you get that out there who this is, then it's going to deter that with them finding someone if the police aren't cooperating and helping.”

Boyer eventually found her missing medical equipment thrown under a neighbor's bush. Even though the thief is still on the loose, Boyer says the doorbell system still makes her feel better protected.

“If the person is caught, great. If it makes them say, 'I'm not going into the neighborhood', great," Boyer said. "But the biggest thing is, you know you've been put out there for many people to see your face. And you know better than to come this direction again.”

If you're thinking about getting a home security camera without the doorbell function, you need to think about where you're going to place it.

Too high above the door and you might not get a clear shot of who's at your doorstep. also make sure the resolution of your camera is high enough to get a clear shot, especially at night. One final note: Make sure your video backs up on a cloud or hard drive so it's there when you need it.

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