This NASA engineer created a glitter bomb package to get back at parcel thieves

Retailers like Amazon have tried to implement solutions for stolen packages. But unfortunately, parcel theft is still all too common these days. Well, a couple of thieves stole from the wrong house when they stopped to nab a NASA engineer’s package during what appeared to be a casual stroll through the neighborhood.

Former NASA engineer Mark Rober caught the theft on camera. After being told by authorities that the incident wasn’t worth their time, Rober decided to take matters into his own vigilante hands.

Rober spent months engineering an incredible contraption, disguised as an Apple Home Pod, that not only records the robbery in progress (and the thieves’ reactions!), but sprays a “butt ton” of fine glitter at the robbers. And as if that wasn’t enough, it also pumps fart spray into their faces — because why not?

The contraption took a total of six months to make, but Rober says he was determined to deliver some “vigilante justice.” As he stated on the Twitter, “Revenge is a dish best served fabulously.”

The design is complicated, but for someone as technologically savvy as Rober, it was entirely worth the effort.

“I spent nine years designing hardware that’s currently roaming around on another freaking planet! If anyone was going to make a revenge bait package, and over-engineer the crap out of it, it was going to be me,” he says during the YouTube video, “Package Thief vs. Glitter Bomb Trap,” in which he documents the process of making this invention.

The design uses GPS technology, four LTE-equipped cameras, tons of fine glitter, fart spray and a ridiculous amount of ingenuity to get it to work in real life.

To top it all off, Rober made a fake return label indicating that Kevin McCallister of “Home Alone sent the package.” The ultimate prankster was Rober’s “childhood hero and inspiration for this project.” Nice touch!

Unsurprisingly, Twitter is going wild for his creation, with many throwing in their own ideas for what he could add for an even sweeter act of revenge.

Twitter user Andy Rouser suggested swapping the glitter for finger powder:

That set off a slew of other suggestions, such as this one from Stephen Walker about laser printer toner.

Meanwhile, Jim Delaney suggested a “glue spritzer” so that the glitter really sticks.

While these suggestions may take Rober’s invention to the next level, there’s no question that it’s already effective as is.  Watch what happens when the contraption is activated in the YouTube video above! It’s perfection.

h/t: Engadget