topic Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses in Community Chat

Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

sidsmom — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:28:38 GMT

Just a reminder to be aware of your surroundings!! I'm stunned how this woman allowed this to happen..didn't she 'feel' someone behind her? Can't feel sorry...

Suspect creeps up on women & steals purse contents

SNELLVILLE, Ga. -- Police are warning shoppers to be aware of a man who is creeping up on women and stealing their valuables right out of their purses -- and he's being very bold about it.

Snellville Police released surveillance video of the suspect who stole a woman's wallet from her purse while she was shopping at the Kroger on Highway 124. They're convinced he's done it before.

The video shows a woman shopping; while she's looking for a product in one of the aisles, the man creeps up behind her, reaches into her purse and steals her wallet.

"Her purse is laying in the top basket of the shopping cart and its wide open," said Snellville Police Capt. Carey Roberts.

The woman didn't know her wallet was missing until she went up to the counter to pay for her groceries. She didn't know it was stolen until her credit card company told her someone used her cards at several restaurants and stores at the Shoppes at Webb Gin within a half hour of the robbery.

Police are hoping someone will recognize the suspect in the video, but they also want to alert shoppers to protect their valuables. Capt. Roberts said this crime could have been prevented.

"Either wear it (purse) on your arm, or close it up, or even if you're going to put it in the top part of the shopping cart, close it up and put your hand through one of the straps," he said.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

croemer — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:31:19 GMT

I had my 4 year old sitting in the cart with my purse in her lap. She was leaning on it...I reached for something and went to put it in the cart and bam...someone stole it right out of her lap. They are bold.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

brii — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:32:13 GMT

I never put my purse in the cart. I wear a cross body or it's on my shoulder.

A friend of mine just got her purse stolen at Target. She was waiting for a coffee from Starbucks, had her purse in the cart, and someone ran off with the whole purse. She had about $700 of gift cards in her wallet, ID's, credit cards, checkbooks - everything. Funny thing is she never carries a purse, only a wristlet. She was sick about it for days.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

brii — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:33:17 GMT

On 8/19/2014 croemer said:
I had my 4 year old sitting in the cart with my purse in her lap. She was leaning on it...I reached for something and went to put it in the cart and bam...someone stole it right out of her lap. They are bold.

Wow - that is bold.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

physicsnut — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:34:16 GMT

Not surprised by this at all... Glad he was on tape... hope they arrest him soon. This is how he makes his living- by robbery.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

FlowershopGirl — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:34:49 GMT

I wear a crossbody at the grocery store as well, its safer. Hopefully no one knocks me down for it!

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

Qwackertoo — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:42:36 GMT

Wow. I've been trying to be much more careful after a kind older gentlemen in Costco tapped me on the shoulder after I had stepped several feet from my cart with my purse still in it . . . and reminded me to keep closer tabs on my purse . . . this was about two years ago.

Since then, I've had at LEAST half a dozen dreams about someone taking my wallet. I almost wake up in a cold-sweat panic after one of those dreams . . . must be subconscious reinforcement to watch my purse & wallet!!!!

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

RedTop — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:46:47 GMT

I never walk around with my purse unzipped, and I do not own purses without zippers that fully secure the contents when closed. I prefer to go to the grocery store with my debit card, drivers license and cell phone inside a wristlet. Just not so keen on carrying a purse at all anymore.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

beckyb1012 — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:50:55 GMT

A few months ago an older woman at my grocery store which as a pharmacy had the stapled bag snatched from her cart next to her purse. Did not take the purse just the prescription. She did not see anyone or anyone watching her when she was getting her meds. She asked all of us if we had seen anything but I did not notice her prior to her stopping me.

I guess they just wanted drugs and were willing to take a chance on what kind of drug is in the bag. I had never even considered my prescriptions stolen right out of my buggy.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

traveler — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:52:17 GMT

When I go pass a grocery cart with a handbag fully open still sitting on the child seat I think, "how foolish". and I bet she would be indignant that others do not live in her perfect world.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

Lion — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:54:00 GMT

My friend had her purse stolen while grocery shopping, too.

A year later, she had her car window shattered in a parking lot at night when thieves saw a tote bag on her front seat. It was empty but the thieves didn't know that, probably thought it had a computer in it.

It taught me a lesson not to leave any bags, even empty ones, where thieves can see them.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

brii — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:55:36 GMT

There were quite a few purses and other belongings stolen out of the trunks of cars in the health club parking lot. People put their purse in the trunk and then go inside to work out and come back and find their purse stolen.

I never leave my purse in the car or the trunk.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

corita — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:55:57 GMT

I don't take a purse in the store with me. I have a small credit card holder that zips closed. I have my driver's license in it and that is all I need!! I have often called out the ""open purse"" to other shoppers. It is amazing that they don't see that an open purse is a draw for a would-be robber!!

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

traveler — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:56:05 GMT

Also do not leave loose change in cup holders, dash in car. Might be just enough incentive for kid to break window.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

seattlegirl98026 — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:57:03 GMT

I see someone who has left their purse in a cart (usually wide open) pretty much every time I am in a store. When I try to be nice and tell the lady in a friendly way that she shouldn't leave her purse unattended, they usually stare back at me like I have 2 heads. It doesn't seem to be a concern to most people. Really surprising.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

MaRina — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:58:54 GMT

I always keep mine on my shoulder completely closed up. Traveler, I have heard that they will break in for change. Croemer, that's awful !

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

SeaGal — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:02:27 GMT

Seattlegirl, I was just going to say the same thing. I decided if they dont have enough sense to protect their stuff that is their problem right?

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

MathisFan — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:11:17 GMT

I started carrying a small nylon D&B cross body a few years ago. I have trouble with my knees and walking. It would have been so easy for some thug to knock me down and steal my purse. It also got to the point I couldn't lug around a heavy purse any longer.

I've found I don't need to carry a lot of things when I go out. Just the essentials. Driver's license, debit card, coupons and maybe a little cash. I feel a lot safer with the cross body. Not a false sense of security, just safer.

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

terrier3 — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:11:19 GMT

I just shop with a wristlet...that stays on my wrist, not in the shopping cart!

Re: Reminder: Grocery store thief & women's open purses

brii — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:12:38 GMT

Can't go wrong with a cross body when you're out shopping and hands are full. For women who have a cane or use a walker or even a motorized cart, I can't imagine having to deal with a purse.