FULLERTON / LA HABRA : Doctors Warned of Thief Using Ruse

Police are warning doctors in North County to be on the alert for a woman suspected of stealing cash, checks and credit card receipts from three medical offices.

The woman apparently stole from two doctor’s offices in Fullerton on Nov. 10 and from a doctor’s office in La Habra on Nov. 11.

Police said that in all three cases, the woman walked into the medical offices shortly before closing time and told receptionists that she was waiting for her daughter, who was going to be bringing her child in on an emergency, said Fullerton Police Detective Paul Mitterholzer.

“As soon as the receptionists stepped away from their desks to talk with the doctors or to get paperwork, the woman apparently took cash, checks and credit card receipts from the cash drawers,” Mitterholzer said. “When the receptionists returned, the woman was gone. The losses usually weren’t noticed until some time later.”

Mitterholzer said the woman moves quickly since all receptionists reported that they were away from their desks for only about five minutes.

“We are really lean on leads. That’s why we’re turning to the public for help,” Mitterholzer said. “A big concern is that with credit card receipts, the suspect has access to patients’ card numbers and can charge large amounts to their accounts over the phone.”

The suspect is described as a heavyset black woman, about 55 years old. She is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, has black and gray hair and is well dressed, Mitterholzer said.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Mitterholzer at the Fullerton Police Department, (714) 738-6752, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays.