Man, two women arrested in wallet thefts at stores

Tribune Staff Report

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Purse snatching and pickpocket crimes are up across the country

Purse snatching and pickpocket crimes are up across the country. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

MISHAWAKA – Police have arrested three people in connection with a string of thefts at area stores.

In each case, police say that two women would enter a store and distract the clerk as a man would enter and remove employees’ wallets from the office or checkout counter.

Police believe the thefts have happened over a period of three weeks, although the exact number of incidents is not known.

On Tuesday, three people entered the Maurices store at 311 E. University Drive. The clerk told police she was busy helping two women look at clothes, when she noticed a man come out of the office.

When questioned, the man said that he was looking for a bathroom.

The customers then left, and it wasn’t until later that the clerk noticed her wallet was missing from her purse.

Police say the team would use the stolen credit cards at various business, which led to police arresting them Wednesday.

All three, two women, 27 and 43, and a man, 43, were taken to the St. Joseph County jail. Formal charges have not been filed in the case.

Police say the suspects don’t appear to be connected to a string of purse snatchings at area stores.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:24 AM Enough Already wrote ...

Mr.cornfusion, your name fits you well. I suppose the most appropriate name that you could have used would have been Jar-Jar Binx, but George Lucas already used that name for the extremely annoying creation of his. Enough already. Your postings are just getting more and more ridiculous. Remember this simple equation: - = (less equals more).

Monday, Nov 24 at 8:10 AM No Sympathy wrote ...

These people are crack heads and won't stop if they get back out. They need to be kept in jail. Do you really think that they're going to stop stealing if they're out? Nope. Hasn't stopped them before and won't stop them now. Keep them locked up and keep us safer. But this is St. Joe Cty. Out on the streets and back to the thieving.

Sunday, Nov 23 at 8:34 PM wangen wrote ...

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 9:26 AM Sister Consolation wrote ... This poor women are so stressed out and the man that must be a lover of both of them need money to go a subway and get some food to eat. I am sure they are the ones who lost their jobs at RV industry and now they run out of cash to pay the rent and utilities. Do they have kids to support? Where are they? Lets pray for all thieves XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Hello.... they're CRACK HEADS !!!!

Sunday, Nov 23 at 12:54 PM DEBBIE wrote ...

I WONDER IF THEY WERE THE ONES WHO TOOK ALL THE BRA`S FROM VICTORIA`S SECRET DEPT STORE A WEEK OR SO AGO? IT IS CHEAPER AND SAFER TO JUST SHOP ON LINE I THINK.AND THEY NEED TO POST THIER NAMES AND SHOW PHOTO`S THAT WAY PEOPLE WILL KNOW WHEN THEY ARE IN THE AREA AND CAN PROTECT THEM SELVES AND OTHERS.

Sunday, Nov 23 at 8:11 AM Extra Large wrote ...

Cornfusion, what is your point? Just had a 'funny' to share?

Sunday, Nov 23 at 12:55 AM Cornfusion wrote ...

Anybody thinking they've had a bad day, (You listening Charlie?) Check this out. Today I went to pick up a prescription and while the girl was waiting on me at the counter a voice from behind me said, "I need to get a box of those condoms." I glanced left and sure enough, they were behind glass on the other side of the counter. This guy was maybe 20 and I thought, 'Wow, I'm not sure I could have done that when I was his age.' Then she asked him, "Do you need the large?" He may never do it again.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 11:22 PM David wrote ...

Rick you are an idiot

Saturday, Nov 22 at 11:21 PM What a mess wrote ...

Cornfusion where are you?

Saturday, Nov 22 at 7:31 PM anon wrote ...

To 1:58 also curious..God Bless You!! Someone else finally gets it!!!!! PEOPLE, WAIT FOR THE BIG HOME AND EXPENSIVE VEHICLES AND STAY HOME WITH YOUR KIDS IF YOU CAN..ITS THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU WILL EVER MAKE.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 6:37 PM anon wrote ...

I would check and see if these folks get Welfare Checks & Medicaid, and revoke all of it NOW, and make them get a job, AFTER THEY GET OUT OF JAIL!

Saturday, Nov 22 at 5:18 PM Goshen Girl wrote ...

To Rick what those Barack has to do with what is going on right now...You must be very stupid and ignorant.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 4:43 PM Collen Allright wrote ...

Get a job you bunch of lunatics that rob people who need the money to get toys to their kids and some need coats and skirts that will help this winter season. Keep your purse with at all times. I saw this woman the other day at Krogers leaving all her things on the cart and then going to look for a pair of plyers. Let the husband look for cars tools and all the weather related liquids that women now are looking and leaving all her belonging for this thieves to get at them and when it is gone th

Saturday, Nov 22 at 2:07 PM Shoppy wrote ...

In St. Joseph County thell skate free with probation . We need elected judges

Saturday, Nov 22 at 1:58 PM also curious wrote ...

Curious: The crime rate hasn't changed; but the level of brutality, the level of rudeness, the sense bad people have of being emboldened, has changed. The one thing different about our era, since c.1900, is that our kids are raised by the state instead of by parents. This creates in people a sense of indifference. Indifference is what leads to things like 1930s Germany and to the lowered cultural standards we have in our country today. This is changing; there are more home schoolers every year.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 12:21 PM Curious wrote ...

To 9:21: No need to get nasty. I was just wondering what we have to look forward to. Your post lacks detail. Care to expound?

Saturday, Nov 22 at 11:46 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I would be the one laughing if they took the time to steal my wallet. I never carry my cash in my wallet. No credit cards, no nothing. Way too many ppl try to steal anything now a days. Keep your cash and cards close, don't give the trash an oppertunity to take advantage of you.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 10:10 AM unknown wrote ...

These people are known to be crack heads. Please don't help.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 9:26 AM Sister Consolation wrote ...

This poor women are so stressed out and the man that must be a lover of both of them need money to go a subway and get some food to eat. I am sure they are the ones who lost their jobs at RV industry and now they run out of cash to pay the rent and utilities. Do they have kids to support? Where are they? Lets pray for all thieves to repent from their sins that are many and take the hand of Jesus and start living a pure and simple life. Im sure some Catholic comunities will take them in and help

Saturday, Nov 22 at 9:21 AM hey curious wrote ...

you don't have to look back that far... quit being so dramatic!

Saturday, Nov 22 at 8:14 AM Rick wrote ...

President (FDR - not Teddy) Roosevelt’s main goals were to rescue the country from economic collapse, create a free enterprise system with Capitalism.....Obama is NOT a Capitalist. Far from it. And I am not a racist for typing this either.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 7:49 AM Sue wrote ...

They say that desperate times call for desperate measures. Guess people like this just aren't desperate enough to get a job. (yeah, it'd probably be minimum wage, but even a min. wage job is a blessing and soon to become even more of a blessing as our economy continues it's downward spiral)

Saturday, Nov 22 at 6:47 AM David wrote ...

You work hard for your money, and scum like this, out there to take it? it's sad!!!

Saturday, Nov 22 at 1:55 AM Empty Pockets wrote ...

To 8:22 PM Well - Same thing here! No money-No funny.

Friday, Nov 21 at 8:46 PM Curious wrote ...

Are there any history buffs out there? I've noticed that there is alot of robberies, thefts and embezzlements lately. Was this a common occurrence during the Great Depression of the 30's?

Friday, Nov 21 at 8:22 PM Well... wrote ...

Ah. Tis the season...If the guy took my wallet, he would be VERY disappointed, I'm afraid....*sigh*.

Friday, Nov 21 at 6:33 PM Karen wrote ...

.....And their names were?

Friday, Nov 21 at 4:34 PM Jim wrote ...

Thugs!! Get a life!

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