Package-Theft Suspect Arrested on Tip from Alert Residents

arrested a Richmond woman Tuesday after neighbors identified her from a flyer warning the community about a slew of package thefts from local homes. Police had earlier said she's known to spend time in Albany and El Cerrito.

Community engagement specialist Karina Tindol, of the Albany Police Department, said a neighbor spotted Reba Perkins, 41, while he was watering his lawn Tuesday around 5 p.m. 

The man later told police he thought he recognized Perkins from about several reports of packages stolen from porches around the city. 

Shortly after he noticed the woman, his neighbor arrived home, and the two agreed that the woman looked like the Reba Perkins described in the flyer. 

They followed her a short distance and called police immediately.

Police arrived and questioned Perkins near the Albany Library. They found her to have an outstanding warrant from the Alameda Police Department, and were able to search her because she is on probation in Contra Costa County. 

Perkins had a suitcase with her, and Tindol said Albany officers found mail in her possession belonging to Albany residents, as well as drug paraphernalia. 

"Definitely the alert neighbors did a great job remembering the flyer and recognizing her and calling police right away," she said. "People often think something might be suspicious, but they don't end up calling until it's too late."

Perkins is being held at Santa Rita Jail with a bail of $10,000. She was scheduled for arraignment Thursday, according to the Alameda County sheriff's department.