Community Awareness Leads to Charges in Parcel Thefts

Residents of Ashburn Village who remained alert were able to help the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office indentify two Warrenton women who were taking delivery packages from homes as soon as they were delivered.

Deputies charged Delia R. Rafe, 33, and Darlene L. Darden, 33, each with felony grand larceny related to the theft of a package from the 20500 block of Broadnax Place on June 29. The women remain suspects in several other reported thefts of packages that occurred during the month of June in the Ashburn Village. Further charges are possible.

The sheriff’s office began an investigation during which several members of the community stepped forward with information about suspicious people in the neighborhood. That information led to the identity of the suspects in the case.

The theft has prompted sheriff’s Crime Prevention Unit to remind residents to report suspicious persons or activity immediately. The following steps were recommended to help deter mail or parcel thefts:

• Request specific drop off times.
• Ask for the parcel to be placed on a back porch or beside the front porch where it cannot be seen from the road.
• Pick up the packages at a package store.
• Let a trusted neighbor know you are expecting a delivery and have them keep an eye out and bring it in once delivered.
• Know when you are expecting certain items in the mail. If they do not arrive, immediately call the sender and check the status of the item.
• Postal Service mail is generally sorted and grouped facing the same way, so if your mail is unsorted, it may be an indication that someone went through your mailbox.

Report suspicious persons or activity IMMEDIATELY by calling the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021.