Crime & Safety

Suspected Wallet Thieves Strike in Carlsbad

The thieves targeted elderly women and racked up around $10,000 in purchases and cash advances.

Authorities need the public's help in identifying a pair of thieves who stole wallets from distracted shoppers at several San Diego-area grocery stores, including a Vons in Carlsbad.

Officers say they used stolen credit cards to rack up a total of about $10,000 worth of purchases and cash advances.

Three women, ages 63, 65 and 85, fell prey to the crimes, which occurred at Windmill Farms market in Del Cerro on June 3, at a Ralphs store in La Mesa on July 6 and at a Vons supermarket in Carlsbad on July 8, according to police.

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the first case, the victim saw only a single perpetrator, a heavyset black woman with medium-length graying hair and reading glasses, Lt. Dan Willis said. A second bandit with a similar general description took part in the other two thefts, according to Willis. In each instance, the victim's billfold disappeared from her purse while her back was turned or as one of the crooks distracted her with questions.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or email the nonprofit agency at sdcrimestoppers.com.

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

CNS contributed to this report


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.