Carson City DA and sheriff warn of uptick in purse snatching cases
Carson City residents should be on alert following a rash of purse thefts from local businesses, vehicles and government office buildings, District Attorney Neil Rombardo and Sheriff Kenny Furlong said today in a joint news statement.
At least a dozen women’s wallets and purses were stolen from area businesses and vehicles between May and August, according to the statement. Among the thefts include:
— A woman’s wallet was stolen from her purse as she tried on a wedding gown in a South Carson Street bridal store.
— A beauty salon worker’s purse was stolen from the employee breakroom by a man who asked to use the restroom.
— A woman’s purse was stolen from a State office building on East William Street.
— A woman’s purse was stolen from her car as she attended a birthday party in northwest Carson City.
“We are seeing an increase in this type of theft crime. In these cases, the thief or thieves were brazen, walking into local businesses and grabbing customers’ and employees’ purses while they are shopping, trying on clothing, or working," said District Attorney Neil Rombardo in the statement. "Most disturbingly, we believe that in some of these cases, the suspect or suspects obtained the victims’ house keys, addresses, and other personal identifying information, with the intent of burglarizing their residences at a later date or committing additional fraud-related crimes.”
Thomas Jeffreys, 22, a suspect in a number of the purse thefts, was arrested on Aug. 20, after attempting to sell suspected stolen property to a local antique store. The property in question was stolen in a home burglary earlier that day. Investigators believe the suspect gained entry to the home using a house key stolen from the homeowner’s vehicle several weeks earlier, according to the statement.
On Aug. 26, Troy Robert Garcia, 42, was arrested after snatching a customer’s purse from a North Carson Street beauty salon. No connection has been established between the two suspects, according to the statement.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to keep your personal possessions and personal information safe and under your control at all times," Furlong said in the news release. "Do not leave checkbooks, credit cards, or other valuable personal possessions in your car, do not leave your purses or wallets unattended at stores, salons, or even in your workplace, unless you know it is secure. We need to make it as difficult as possible for these thieves.”
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