Woman accused of stealing over 60 packages from doorsteps

A Whitman woman might be spending the holidays behind bars after police say she stole gifts and packages from the doorsteps of dozens of South Shore homes this week.

Kathy Lyden, 43, was held without bail Tuesday on charges accusing her of stealing more than 60 packages worth $2,800 from homes in Whitman, Hanson and Abington.

A Whitman resident contacted police on Sunday when he noticed packages were missing. He reported seeing a tan pickup truck in the neighborhood that police said fit the description of Lyden’s vehicle.

When police questioned Lyden, she allegedly admitted to taking several packages Monday, but inside her home, police found packaging labels from scores of boxes listing addresses that do not belong to Lyden.

Whitman Deputy Police Chief Tim Hanlon said most of the items appeared to be holiday gifts.

“We’re going to try to get the items back to the victims once we determine what was taken from who,” he said.

Lyden told police she was struggling to provide Christmas for her children, but Hanlon said there are plenty of resources available to families struggling to make ends meet during the holidays.

Whitman police held a “Fill the Cruiser” toy drive at the station on Sunday, when they collected dozens of gifts ranging from sporting equipment to board games, Hanlon said.

“She definitely didn’t have to do what she did to make Christmas happy for everyone,” he said.

Lyden is charged with larceny of a single scheme of over $250, and faces charges of resisting arrest and two separate counts of assault and battery of a police officer due to her actions during her arrest.

Police used a Taser on Leyden after she hit two officers.

Lyden was already in violation of court orders for failing to appear for any of the 11 drug tests she was ordered to take while out on drug possession and distribution charges. A judge ordered her jailed pending the outcome of the drug case and ordered her to post another $2,000 bail. She was also ordered to have no contact with the victims or homes associated with the packages.

Anyone from the towns of Whitman, Hanson or Abington who believe they are missing shipping packages are urged to print out their online receipt and shipping information and contact Whitman Police after 4 p.m. at 781-447-1212.