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‘Tis the season for thievery

December 18, 2007

The O’Fallon Police Department is asking for assistance identifying a couple of suspects in recent thefts.

One suspect is believed to have repeatedly stolen credit cards and cash from vehicles in area parking lots.

On November 20, 2007, credit cards were stolen from a purse in a parked car at the YMCA at 3451 Pheasant Meadow Drive in O’Fallon. The credit cards were quickly used or attempted to be used at the O’Fallon Target and other Target stores as well as the St. Peters Wal-Mart.

In October of 2006, the same suspect is believed to have stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot of Golf Headquarters at 3465 Highway K in O’Fallon. The cards were then used in O’Fallon at Home Depot, Target and at the St. Peters Target and Wal-Mart.

In November of 2005, the same suspect is also believed to have stolen credit cards and cash out of a purse left in a parked car at the same YMCA as above. The credit cards were then used in Chesterfield, Manchester and Ballwin.

To report information regarding any of these cases, contact Detective Jodi Weber at 636-379-5633. See suspect photos and more information here.

O’Fallon Police are also investigating some recent purse snatchings in the area, committed by women. Elderly women’s purses have been stolen out of their shopping carts when the victims would turn their backs. The thief grabs the purse from the cart and leaves the store. This has happened at Wal-Mart, Target, Gordman’s and Schnuck’s in O’Fallon. One suspect may have been seen driving away in a dark green SUV that may have been a Chevrolet Suburban or Tahoe.

To report information about these purse snatchings, contact Detective Mountain at the O’Fallon Police Department at 636-379-5534. See suspect photos and more information here.

Don’t be a victim. Keep these tips in mind when shopping:

Always keep wallet or purse in a safe place.
When storing bags in the car, hide them out of sight (preferably in the trunk). Throwing a blanket or jacket over them does not fool thieves.
If attacked, yell loudly, make a scene and get away.
Have keys in hand before leaving the store.
Walk briskly with head held high.
Do not dangle purse. Keep it strapped securely.
Pay close attention when purse is in the cart. Don’t look away for even a second.
Try not to shop with kids. They distract.
When using a credit card, only pull it out when necessary and don’t let others see it. It only takes a second for a thief to snap a cell phone picture of a credit card.
To discard credit card receipts, shred them.
Do not leave receipts from credit card transactions in plain sight (on the seat of the car, for instance).
Check receipts against statements and report any discrepancies immediately.
When taking a break from shopping at a food court or coffee shop, don’t leave purse on the floor or hung on the back of a chair. Place on lap.
When putting packages in the car, be sure to move the car from that parking place. Thieves are paying attention and know when shoppers return to the store.
Lock the car once inside it.
Take note of parking place to avoiding searching for it.
Leave unneeded credit cards at home.

Some thieves are professional criminals and stealing is how they make a living. They are counting on shoppers to be preoccupied. To put these criminals out of business, shoppers need to be extra aware this holiday season and always.

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