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Purse thieves targeting elderly women - UPDATE
By Ann Marie Shambaugh
Staff Writer
Two men in Mesquite have been stealing purses from elderly women, and police are asking for the public's help in capturing the suspects.
Police are investigating three similar incidents in the last month. The first theft occurred on May 13 at about 1:23 p.m. outside the victim’s home in the 1500 block of Develon Drive. The suspect acknowledged a 72-year-old woman who was loading groceries into her car before grabbing her purse. He knocked the victim to the ground and fled in a dark colored vehicle driven by an unknown Hispanic male.
On Friday morning, the suspects are accused of stealing the purse of an 81-year-old woman and injuring her as they threw her to the ground at the Kroger in the 500 block of North Galloway Avenue. Police said they did not believe any of the injuries are severe.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic or light-skinned clean cut black male in his late teens or early 20s. The suspect's vehicle is described as a late model, four door, foreign, black car, possibly with a rear spoiler.
The suspects used the victims' credit cards at several businesses in Balch Springs within minutes of the thefts. They also used the credit cards in other areas.
The first suspect's purse was found in a dumpster in the 800 block of E. Davis the following day. The other two purses have not been found.
Police said they have not yet received any leads to help identify the suspects. They are urging residents of all ages to use caution and know their surroundings.
“We encourage all of our citizens to be aware of their surroundings when out in public,” Lt. Bill Hedgpeth said.
He also said that residents can minimize the chance of being a crime victim by varying their route to and from shopping centers, being wary of strangers who approach in a parking lot, shopping with a friend, and keeping keys in hand.
Anyone with information about the suspects is urged to contact Investigator Snyder at 972-329-8780 or Phillips at 972-216-8153
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