POLICE say brazen thieves are stealing handbags while victims are shopping in Subiaco and nearby suburbs.
They are then using the stolen credit cards to buy goods.
“In one instance they stole the bag, and used the credit card to buy items while the person was still in the shop,” Detective-Sergeant Paul Vojkovich said.
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READ NOWMen are also victims of the spate.
“Men are leaving their wallets and bags on trolleys, counters, shelves, and thieves take advantage of this,” Det-Sgt Vojkovich said.
The spate has police suspicious the thieves wait outside cafes and supermarkets to identify victims.
“The handbag could be on a supermarket trolley child’s seat, and they may follow that person around until they are distracted and then strike,” Det-Sgt Vojkovich said.
In Subiaco, some of a handbag’s contents were taken at Golden Choice Subiaco Fresh Market at about 2.30pm on November 10.
A suspect was described as a dark-skinned woman, 40-50, 168cm, medium build, dark curly hair, who wore a grey jumper, white t-shirt, black leggings and had a yellow handbag.
About 4.30pm the previous day, a man’s wallet was taken from his trolley at Coles Subiaco and his credit card later used for fraud in Osborne Park.
A woman’s handbag was taken from her trolley at Coles Station Street, Subiaco about 1pm on November 14.
In Mount Hawthorn a woman had her purse taken from her pram at the Mezz Shopping Centre about 4pm on November 8.
In North Perth a purse was taken from a woman’s handbag at Coles, Fitzgerald Street about noon on November 9, and a purse was taken from another woman at the supermarket about 11am five days later.
A stolen credit card was used for fraud in Subiaco after it was taken from a purse left on a counter at a Cambridge Street, Wembley store about 1pm on November 10, and man’s wallet was taken at Coles, West Leederville about 4.45 p.m. on November 11
Det-Sgt Vojkovich said shoppers must be vigilant and keep handbags and wallets secure.