Purse Snatchings on the Rise

By: Jon Vanderford - Email

Updated: Wed 8:02 PM, Dec 01, 2004

Capital city police are on the lookout for three suspects who are apparently targeting shoppers at grocery stores. They are taking purses and then using the stolen credit cards to make major purchases.

Authorities say since December, there's been a rash of purse snatchings at grocery stores. Investigators say the suspects are targeting people when they are distracted while shopping in the grocery aisles. The suspects are taking purses, and in many cases within an hour, are using stolen checkbooks and credit cards at malls like Westfield Shoppingtown Gateway. In each case, they are running up a tally of between $2,000 and $5,000, a significant loss to the victims. Right now, police say at least 56 cases have been reported.

Investigators believe three people are involved in these purse-snatchings. One's a male, black, around 6-1 to 6-2, and 200 to 250 pounds. The other two suspects are described as female, black, about 20 to 25 years old, 5-8 to 5-9, and 120 to 125 pounds.

With the news of these crimes taking place, police are urging Lincoln citizens to take extra precautions when out shopping at grocery stores. Those precautions include keeping a close eye on your purse or wallet, and keeping those items close to you, or where you can feel them.

If you have any information about these purse-snatching incidents, call Crimestoppers at 475-3600. Remember, you don't have to leave your name and you could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

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