Roseville PD Investigating String Of Purse & Wallet Thefts
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – If you plan to head out this weekend, keep an eye on your wallet. Roseville Police believe there's a ring of thieves working together to steal from you.
It's happened half a dozen times in a matter of weeks. Sue Johnson was the latest victim.
"It's sad that you can't trust people. I guess I'm a very trusting person," Johnson said.
Sue Johnson and her daughter Bethany met her other daughter and baby at Panera Bread at Rosedale Center Wednesday.
"We had ordered our food. I had paid for it with my credit card, my billfold and I know I put my billfold back in my purse," Johnson said.
She slung her purse over the back of her chair.
"A gal came up beside me and we didn't think anything of it at the time but she came up beside me and started talking about my granddaughter," Johnson said.
"I just thought she was a very friendly lady just wanted to know about my niece," Bethany Johnson said.
"Probably talked maybe 20 seconds, 20 to 30 seconds that's about it," Johnson said.
In that time her wallet was gone. By the time Johnson discovered it her credit cards had been used over and over again.
"My bank card was able to be used at 4:30 p.m., 4:37 p.m., 4:22 p.m.," Johnson said.
Police believe a number of people are involved in the theft ring, either stealing, or using the stolen credit cards.
"It happened so quickly I was amazed at how quickly they were just spending it and all the different places they were spending it so it was obvious it was more than one person," Johnson said.
Police say to keep an eye on your things, and be wary of anyone trying to distract you.
If you have any information, call police.