A passer-by caught two people allegedly stealing packages in Utah, chased them and was shot at

Unified police are searching for a man and woman accused of stealing packages and shooting at a witness in Herriman.

A passer-by — who took pictures of the woman the man’s car — told police that a white male in a black baseball cap stole packages from a house on the block of 5200 West and Ambermount Drive (about 15000 South) on Wednesday afternoon, according to a news release.

The witness said the male took the packages back to a waiting white early 2000s Chevrolet Impala with green and blue out-of-state license plates.

A woman with long dark hair and a black sweatshirt with a green hood was waiting in the car. The two took off, the release said, and the witness followed.

The witness said when the pair realized it was being followed, the male fired a shot at the witness with a black handgun, according to the release.

The witness, who was not hit, stopped following the man and woman, who are considered armed and dangerous, according to police.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Unified Police Department at 801-743-7000.

With online shopping more prevalent during the holiday season, package thieves are flooded with opportunity. However, there are ways to thwart the criminals. Amazon has recently started offering delivery to lockers in businesses around U.S. cities where customers can pick up packages at their convenience. Several have been established in Salt Lake City, Cottonwood Heights and Park City.

The Wood Cross Police Department has offered to receive packages for residents, who can pick up the parcels later.

Another method for package protection is video-recording doorbells, offered by companies like Ring. The product and service allow homeowners to survey their doorsteps and can capture incriminating footage of thieves taking packages.

For those who opt for low-tech remedies, FedEx has a list of tips, such as requiring a signature for package delivery, or routing items to a workplace.