Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Thousand Oaks area Grocery Stores
Date: June 1, 2009 – August 21, 2009
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department / Detectives
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Age
(S) Hispanic Male 5’ 8” to 11” 165 lbs to 185 lbs 35-40 yrs

Thousand Oaks Police Investigators have been investigating multiple incidents in which wallets have been taken from the victims’ purses that have been placed in shopping carts. Since June 1, 2009, the Thousand Oaks Police Department has had 13 reported cases in which an unknown suspect has targeted elderly women while they are shopping.

During each incident, the victims have left their purses in the child seat portion of the shopping cart. The victims were distracted looking at items on the shelves. The suspect approached the shopping carts and removed the wallets from inside the purses without the victims suspecting anything.

The suspect has been described as a Hispanic male approximately 35 to 40 years of age, 5’ 8” to 5’ 11” and 165 to 185 lbs.

It is strongly suggested to be aware of your personal belongings while shopping and make sure not to leave your purse unattended in the shopping cart. Keeping the shopping cart close by is not always enough. The suspect has been able to remove the wallets even when the cart is in close proximity to the victims. It is believed the suspect is also responsible for additional thefts in the Simi Valley and Los Angeles County areas. The investigation of these crimes is continuing.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).