Light-fingered bandits grabbing wallets
Sep 16, 2008 - 11:20 AM
By Jeff Mitchell
DURHAM -- A rash of thefts targeting unwitting shoppers has police warning women to protect their purses while out in public.
"Hang on to it -- keep it close to you," advised Detective Constable Martin Franssen of Durham police's 19 Division in Ajax-Pickering.
Investigators believe a highly-organized team of thieves have been stalking stores in the area, seeking out purses left in shopping carts. Light-fingered bandits snatch wallets and make off with them, typically rushing to nearby shops and buying large-ticket items such as electronics which are then fenced for cash.
The purchases are made "within minutes" with stolen credit cards, the transactions often completed before victims are even aware they've been robbed, Det.-Const. Franssen said.
"They're good at what they do -- they're very swift," he said.
"Before the (victim) even knows the card is gone the purchase is racked up."
Charges on the stolen credit cards are typically in the $2,000 to $3,000 range, Det.-Const. Franssen said.
Victims are left with the hassle of sorting out the fraudulent purchases as well as replacing the various pieces of ID that are lost with their wallets.
It's believed the thefts are the work of a team that travels from community to community, trying to stay a step ahead of the cops, Det.-Const. Franssen said: "They will work the area until it gets hot and then move on."
Shoppers are warned to be vigilant and keep their personal belongings with them. Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call Det.-Const. Franssen at 905-579-1520, ext. 2532 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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