EVERETT – Police are trying to bust up an organized purse-snatching ring they believe is actively prowling unlocked cars in retail store parking lots in Everett.
Detectives said they believe as many as six people are working together to steal purses from women, whose attention is elsewhere as they are putting their purchases into their cars.
As the woman return shopping carts, the suspects simply open the unlocked car doors, grab the victim’s purse and rush to another store to use the stolen credit cards to buy gift cards, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.
The gift cards can then be used in the stores.
On May 31, police arrested a Lake Stevens man, 21, after a boy who was in a car in the Everett Costco parking lot told his mother that someone had stolen her purse.
Information from that arrest has helped police, but they are still looking for at least five people, Goetz said.
The ring has hit at least eight times in the past few weeks, he said.
Police believe the ring is responsible for a theft Wednesday night at a Fred Meyer.
Goetz said women should keep their purses with them and always lock their cars.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Everett police tip line at 425-257–8450.
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