Serial mail thief wanted by the Irvine Police

Anthony Brian Palusso, 39, of Mission Viejo, has been stealing packages in Irvine for years, according to the Irvine Police Department.

The Irvine Police Department is seeking help from the public to locate Palusso so they can bring his crime spree to an end.

Palusso was arrested by the Irvine Police back in 2017. He was suspected in a string of package thefts in the neighborhoods of Orchard Hills, Stonegate and Portola Springs. He was also known to frequent Cypress Village and Woodbury. He was caught on home surveillance video during the commission of several crimes.

Palusso was arrested at a local hotel after receiving a tip from someone who saw his picture on a news broadcast. IPD Detectives responded to Garden Grove to assist. Palusso was arrested on an outstanding warrant and taken into custody.

Palusso has since been released from prison and has returned to his thieving ways, prompting the Irvine Police Department to issue a warning to the public about getting their packages stolen by suspects like Palusso this holiday season.

Residents who can help to locate Palusso are asked to contact edmartinez@cityofirvine.org.

Here are usefu tips to prevent the theft of your packages this holiday season, courtesy of the Irvine Police Department:

• Schedule your deliveries when you know you will be home.
• Take your packages in as soon as they are delivered.
• Call a trusted neighbor or a friend and ask them to hold on to your delivery until you can get home.
• If available, use the delivery service’s locker service for self-pick-up.
• Use a smartphone garage door control application like “myQ” to allow delivery services to deliver your package inside your garage.