A 33-year-old Mission Viejo man has been arrested on suspicion of at least 20 crimes involving package thefts in Irvine, police said Thursday, Dec. 21.

Anthony Brian Palusso was arrested Tuesday night, Dec. 19, after police say they believe he is responsible for a string of thefts over the past several months in the Orchard Hills, Stonegate and Portola Springs neighborhoods of Irvine.

“He was caught on home surveillance video during the commission of several crimes. He is also suspected in crimes in other Orange County cities,” said Kim Mohr, spokeswoman for the Irvine Police Department.

Police released Palusso’s photo to the public and other law enforcement agencies last week. He is suspected of being a “porch pirate,” which is what authorities and the public call people who steal packages sitting in front of homes.

Mohr said residents also played a role in searching for the suspect by creating fliers warning others and posting home surveillance on social media.

Garden Grove police arrested Palusso at a hotel after getting a tip from someone who’d seen his photo on a news broadcast. He also had an outstanding warrant. According to jail records he is being held in lieu of $35,000.

Anyone with information about the suspect or crimes is asked to call the Irvine Police Department at 949-724-7000.