'Very Organized' Thieves Stealing Wallets From Grocery Shoppers
By Tom Mustin
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is looking for a group of brazen wallet thieves. They've hit the Highlands Ranch Whole Foods Market twice in the past month and similar thefts have been reported in Arapahoe County.
"I'm really shocked that it's happening," resident Vicki Ferrari told CBS4's Tom Mustin.
New surveillance video shows the thieves stealing from open purses inside the store.
"I'll keep a better eye on my purse. It's a good lesson," said shopper Susan Troidle.
Surveillance video from June 26 shows three crooks in action. A woman is browsing in the dairy section with her back to her cart, and her purse open. Another woman distracts her while a white male steals her wallet. Another male wearing a blue baseball cap shows up with his cart to lead interference. The thieves quickly charged $2,500 on the woman's credit card.
"They're very organized. It would appear they have done this in the past," said Lauren Lekander with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Lekander says the crooks are looking for easy targets, but a little preparation can keep your wallet safe.
"Close your purse. Lock it if you can. Keep it close to you. Have a little bit of common sense and be aware of your surroundings," Lekander said.
Video from the same Whole Foods store on June 2 shows a black man stealing a woman's wallet from her purse while she stands in the seafood section. It is not known if the two crimes are related, but that same man is wanted for other thefts in Arapahoe County.
"It's really disconcerting to me that this is happening here," Ferrari said.
She says Highlands Ranch is the perfect target for clever thieves.
"'My wallet's open. Everything is open," she told Mustin. "I would imagine that not many people think it's happening here so they're not as cognizant."
With the criminals still on the loose, Ferrari says she's learned a valuable lesson.
"I think I will close my purse. Maybe have it on my shoulder close to me from now on."
No arrests have been made in the case.
Additional Information From The Douglas County Sheriff's Office
If you have any information about the crime, or know the identity of the suspects, contact Specialist Karen Jensen at 303-663-7248 or kjensen@dcsheriff.net.
Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.
