Thieves Steal $10K from Elderly: Cops

Police have released surveillance images of a pair of thieves who they say target older women in grocery stores.

The first crime took place in Del Cerro. A month later it happened again in La Mesa. Then, days later, a third victim was ripped off in Carlsbad.

The victims were between the ages of 63 and 85 years old.

In Del Cerro, one suspect distracted a woman inside a store.

β€œIt's just a matter of seconds if even that long,” said Lt. Dan Willis of the La Mesa Police Department. β€œIt was one or two quick questions as soon as the victim was distracted and starts to answer the purse is gone.”

Within two hours the suspects took a $2,000 cash advance from the victim's credit card at a nearby Chase Bank.

It happened again at a La Mesa Ralphs. This time, the suspects took a cash advance from another stolen credit card and spent hundreds of dollars at a nearby Macy's.

The third victim was in Carlsbad. The suspects stole a total of $10,000 police said.

Each time, the victim didn’t notice they had been robbed until they approached the counter and tried to pay.

By then, Willis said, the suspects were long gone.

La Mesa, San Diego and Carlsbad Police are investigating along with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

There is a $1,000 reward for anyone that has information that leads to an arrest.
 

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