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BSO: Distraction Thieves Caught On Camera At Parkland Gas Station

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PARKLAND (CBSMiami) – Two thieves were caught on camera stealing a woman's purse as she was pumping gas in Parkland.

Elvie McCormick was just following her normal routine.

She finished shopping at a big box store and was filling up on gas at a Parkland Chevron station one day in late September when she became the victim of a distraction theft.

While she pumped gas, surveillance video shows a pair of thieves preyed on her – pulling up near her car as a man exited his car, crouched down, opened her car door and stole her purse.

"It made me feel violated, I guess it's the word," she told CBS4's Carey Codd.

McCormick says she tries to be aware of her surroundings but she always leaves her doors open at the gas station because she's fearful she'll lock herself out of her car.

"I knew what happened," she said. "Literally, I knew what happened. I couldn't believe it because I didn't know when it happened. It was a matter of seconds."

She believes the thieves followed her into the lot and made her their mark, casing her until she stopped at a pump.

She says the bad guys got away with her phone, personal items, credit cards and some cash.

"It was just a very big hassle, for what?" she asked.

McCormick knows that even if investigators find these guys she's unlikely to get her stuff back. But she wants them off the streets before they prey on someone else.

"I would like to catch them," she said. "They should go to jail."

McCormick is warning people to lock their doors at the gas station and keep their purse or wallet with them.

Broward Sheriff's Office detectives want to catch these thieves. If you know who they are, call Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.

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