DA: 'Stroller Trolling' Couple Targeted Unsuspecting Female Shoppers In Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Authorities on Tuesday said a married couple has been charged with serial "stroller trolling" for allegedly stealing from female shoppers with strollers at various retail stores in Queens.
Luis Chango, 45, and Rosa Jerez, 37, were arraigned Monday on multiple counts of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, identity theft, endangering the welfare of a child and petit larceny, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, the couple allegedly most recently struck at the Old Navy in Long Island City, Queens this past Saturday. Police said they struck various stores in Queens 14 times going back to Aug. 9m including a Carter's Babies and Kids store and a seafood store.
At a Mandee store on Myrtle Avenue, they allegedly took an iPhone 6 right out of the hands of a baby in a stroller, and left when the child burst into tears.
Police said Chango and Jerez worked together, with one usually distracting the stroller-pusher with conversation while the other made the move.
They took wallets, cellphones from jacket pockets, and purses, credit cards and cash, police said.
Jerez was out of custody on bail late Tuesday, while Chango remained in jail. No one answered the door at their address Tuesday.
Police said surveillance video finally caught up to them.
"Young mothers pushing kids in strollers -- they're easy to be distracted and they've got to be very, very careful," said District Attorney Brown.
"I always keep my purse inside the bag, because usually what they do is they look for the basket, and people usually put their wallet in the basket, so it's an easy target," said Queens resident Elizabeth Troche. "But I try to keep my stuff in my pocket but that's the best you can do. I've seen it happen before; it's common."
Brown said Chango is also charged alone in six separate complaints for allegedly stealing from strollers and from a woman's bag between July 25 and Sept. 5.
With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, Brown urged shoppers to remain vigilant, especially in crowded stores.
"Shoppers should never leave bags or valuables unattended or hanging from strollers and they should always be aware of their surroundings," he said. "A successful pickpocket only needs seconds to accomplish his or her goal of parting you with your valuables."
Bail was set at $12,500 for Chango and $7,250 for Jerez. They are due back in court on Dec. 4.
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