We have a warning for shoppers about a disturbing trend over the holidays. A woman is stealing credit cards and wallets from purses in Lexington. It’s happening at area Kroger’s and TJ MAXX stores.
It’s that time of year when folks open their wallets a little more, spending money on family and friends. But having an open purse when you’re shopping? Police say that might get you out of the holiday spirt real quickly. Especially if you run into the person who police say has stolen wallets out of the purses of twelve women, mostly elderly, at area stores.
http://liarcatchers.com/index.php
“Keep your bags closed,” advises Detective Michael Helsby with the Lexington Police Department’s Financial Crimes Division. “Maybe if you are going to the grocery store take one credit card you are going to use and a driver’s license and keep them in your pocket.”
The alleged culprit was caught on camera at the Walmart on Richmond Road and the Target in the Hamburg area. At Walmart, surveillance cameras show a woman putting about $2400 dollars total on three reloadable gift cards, using stolen credit cards. Minutes later, she’s seen at the Target.
The victims tell police she has an accomplice, a woman who distracts the victim with a question or conversation while the other thief makes her move and steals the wallet out of the purse. They hope the public can help identify the culprit.
“We’ve had some witnesses who’ve stated they believe it was a man dressed up as a woman wearing a wig” says Detective Helsby.
Police urge women to keep their purses on their shoulders, not in their shopping carts, and they also suggest store employees should check identification when customers use credit cards to buy gift cards.
Police say the thief also used the stolen credit cards at the Apple Store at the Fayette Mall.
If you have any information, contact Lexington Police at 859-258-3600.
