Suspect in Encinitas Car Burglary, Purse Theft Tries to Use Victim's Credit Card at Walmart, Authorities Say

ENCINITAS, CA — San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station asked for the public's help Tuesday to help identify and locate a man wanted in connection with the alleged theft of an Encinitas woman's purse.

The victim, who lives in the 2400 block of Oxford Avenue in Encinitas, reported that on the morning of Sept. 4, she discovered her purse was missing from her unlocked car, which was parked in the driveway of her residence. Inside the purse were her wallet, identification cards, credit cards, checkbook and other miscellaneous items.

The woman told the Sheriff's Department she was alerted by one of her credit card companies that someone had attempted to use her card at a Walmart store in San Marcos. The purchase for $383 was declined; however, authorities said, the suspect did manage to use one of the stolen credit cards for a purchase of $85 at a Shell gas station.

Sheriff's investigators obtained a surveillance image of the person believed to be responsible for using the woman's card at Walmart.

The suspect is described as a white or light‐skinned Latino man who stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 170 pounds. The man with short dark hair was last seen wearing a baseball cap, a black T-shirt and tan shorts, and was driving a dark-colored station wagon with a roof rack.

Anyone with information pertaining to the investigation is asked to call the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station at 760-966-3500 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580‐8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anonymous email and text messages can be sent in via Sdcrimestoppers.org.

Images via San Diego County Sheriff's Department