BAY SHORE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Police have arrested two men for allegedly stealing packages from the doorsteps of homes on Long Island.

Albert Munoz, 21, and Freddy Benavides, Jr., 20, had been following a UPS truck Tuesday and stealing packages after they were dropped off, police said.

An off-duty New York State Trooper called police after he spotted the suspects stealing a package from a home in Bay Shore, police said. They were then followed to a post office, where police say they may have been planning to trail a postal truck next, CBS 2’s Carolyn Gusoff reported.

Police said it’s a familiar scenario. Holiday gifts left unattended are an easy score for thieves looking to cash in on cyber gift buying.

1010 WINS’ Mona Rivera reports https://newyork.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14578484/2012/12/hall_thieves1w_midday_121205.mp3

An Apple EarPod, Apple iPad Mini case, and two pairs of Skechers sneakers were recovered, police said.

WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall On The Story https://newyork.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14578484/2012/12/hall_thieves1w_midday_121205.mp3

Munoz and Benavides have been charged with criminal possession of stolen property. Munoz faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Munoz will be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Benavides was issued a desk appearance ticket and will be arraigned at a later date.

To prevent package theft, police said to tell the sender to:

* Require a signature

* Ship the package to your workplace if you know you won’t be home

* For pricey purchases, have it held for pick up

And according to UPS you can request that all future packages are left out of sight, like at a back door. You can track your packages online to get a two- to four-hour window of a delivery time.

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