SANTA PAULA : Wallet Thieves Target Grocery Shoppers
After noticing a surge of thefts at local grocery stores, Santa Paula police are warning shoppers against thieves who are taking wallets from shopping carts.
“I noticed that we had about a dozen in the last four to six months,” police Sgt. Gary Marshall said.
Typically the thief waits for the victim to become distracted with shopping duties before taking the wallet, Marshall said.
“They’re pretty slick. No one’s ever seen anyone around their cart or anything,” Marshall said. Police have no suspects in the thefts, he said.
Marshall advises carrying handbags on shoulders, and remembering to keep them zipped closed. He also advocates shopping with a friend or using fanny packs to make it more difficult for thieves.
“I think it’s just part of an everyday awareness of your environment,” Marshall said. “People need to be a little more alert and attentive to detail.”
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