Porch Theft Incidents Rise in Lauderdale County

On November 22nd, law enforcement officers were dispatched to the 200 Block of Meadowcrest Drive in response to a report of stolen property. The victim recounted that after receiving a delivery, multiple packages valued at over $600 were taken from their porch. In a troubling turn of events, the same suspect returned on November 26, 2024, and made off with additional gifts left at the victim’s doorstep.

Following an investigation, authorities identified Dalton Ray Hayes as a suspect in the case. At the time of his apprehension, Hayes was driving a vehicle owned by his employer, which was equipped with a GPS tracking system. The employer cooperated with the investigation by providing detectives with location data that proved instrumental in linking Hayes to three separate incidents of parcel theft.

Currently, Hayes is being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center. It is important to note that, in accordance with legal principles, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.