Woman Suspected of Stealing Wallets, Handbags from Pechanga Casino Patrons

TEMECULA, Ca -- An Orange County woman suspected of stealing the pocketbooks of visitors to the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula over a 15-month span was behind bars in Las Vegas today, awaiting extradition to Riverside County.

Xuan Tran, 64, of Westminster was identified as the suspected perpetrator of a series of thefts at Pechanga following a sheriff's investigation that concluded earlier this month.

Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Fredericks alleged that Tran targeted casino patrons between January 2015 and last month, "stealing purses and wallets from unsuspecting (victims) on the gaming floor.''

He estimated the victims' losses exceeded $10,000.

Tran was caught committing similar crimes in Vegas recently, Fredericks said.

Local authorities are seeking her return for prosecution.

She also is wanted in Orange and Placer counties, according to the sergeant. Court records turned up no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions for Tran in Riverside County.

--City News Service/File photo