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.