Dear Block Captains:

Please see attached for a flyer.  The suspect as
described in the flyer chose his victims inside
grocery stores; as the victim turned away, he
quickly took wallets out of purses.  He walked away
taking money out of wallets then threw the wallets
somewhere on the way.  There had been 12 cases in
our division, total 25 cases, some from other
divisions.

Please be aware while shopping and share this
information your neighbors.  Thanks.

Ping Yang
Police Service Officer
(858)538-8090

Open Purse

Wallet Snatch

I need assistance in identifying an African American male who is targeting women's purses in the grocery stores at Rancho Bernardo, Mira Mesa, and Clairemont areas. In each case a male approximately 6-0 and thin, wearing a black dress shirt and slacks takes wallets from open purses left unattended in shopping carts. The following is a list of the cases: 

1.  May 10, 2008         0000 hrs    (Sat)    Ralph's         9440   Mira Mesa Blvd  08-025533

2.  May 10, 2008         1415 hrs    (Sat)    Von's           6555 Mission Gorge       08-025676

3.  May 18, 2008         1530 hrs    (Sun)   Von's           11986 Bernardo Plaza    08-027384

4.  June 14, 2008         1500 hrs    (Sat)    Von's           11986 Bernardo Plaza    08-032662

5.  July 03, 2008          1555 hrs    (Thu)   Von's           11986 Bernardo Plaza    08-036817

6.  July 03, 2008          1850 hrs    (Thu)   Albertson's   10740 Westview Pkwy  08-037582

7.  July 04, 2008          1500 hrs    (Fri)     Von's           11986 Bernardo Plaza    08-036975

8.  July 29, 2008          1200 hrs    (Tue)    Von's           4725 Clairemont Drive  08-042209

9.   August 03, 2008   1221 hrs    (Sun)   Ralph's         5680 Mission Center      08-043479

10. August 08, 2008   1200 hrs    (Wed)  Von's           11986 Bernardo Plaza    08-043909

11. August 19, 2008   1400 hrs    (Tue)   Von's            8310 Mira Mesa Blvd    08-046625

The M.O. is the same in each case. The male stalks older women in the rear of the store, usually the frozen foods section. As the woman is obtaining items from the freezer the male reaches into the open purse and removes the wallet. The suspect walks towards the exit while removing the cash from the wallet. The suspect discards the wallet in the store and exits the store. 

Call Detective Lenhart (858) 538-8017