Police warn of spike in pickpockets and purse snatchersby Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)
Purse snatching and pickpocket crimes are up across the country. (WSBT photo) SOUTH BEND — From the drugstore to the grocery store, police say they've seen a spike in purse snatchings over the last few weeks. Even customers in line at the checkout counter are now targets. Multimedia Purse snatching and pickpocket crimes are up across the country. Police say it's likely because of the state of the economy, a lot of people out of work and desperation. Last week police say a woman was standing in the checkout line at Kroger when someone came up and tried to grab her purse. The message from police: Shoppers beware — purse snatchers and pickpockets are on the prowl. “It can happen anywhere … the south side, the west side, the east side, in front of your house, at the grocery store, anywhere,” said South Bend Police Sgt. Lee Ross. Over the last two weeks, local police records show a series of purse snatchings or attempted purse thefts, and not just in the parking lot, but inside the actual store. Last week police said a woman in Mishawaka was standing in line at the checkout counter when a man tried to grab her purse. The two struggled, but the woman was able to keep her purse. Sgt. Ross said the crimes are likely connected, at least in some part, to the struggling economy. “Obviously the economy causes people to lose their jobs and people are needing extra money,” said Ross, referring to the upcoming holiday shopping season. Police say there is a list of things shoppers can do to reduce their chances of becoming a target in the first place: “So if something does happen, you’re not out all those credit cards and you have to call all those 800 numbers,” said Ross. When in the parking lot, Ross advised shoppers to walk in groups and try, whenever possible, to park in brightly lit areas. Another tip when you're in the store: If you have a purse, put it in the cart, but secure it with the same belt you'd use to secure a child. For more tips to reduce your chances of becoming a purse snatching victim, click on the link in the Related Content box. Most PopularMore Good Stuff |
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