Thief Targets Bridesmaids, Wedding Guests At Petaluma Venues: PD

PETALUMA, CA — Following reports from guests and bridesmaids of two recent weddings held at Petaluma venues that their wallets were taken and their credit cards used, police have released a photo of the woman they suspect of the alleged crimes. Petaluma police Sgt. Rich Cox says the thefts happened Dec. 30 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 35 Liberty St., and Jan. 6 at Calvary Chapel of Petaluma, 1955 S. McDowell Blvd.

Police learned of the St. Vincent de Paul incident on Jan. 2 when the victim called to report her credit card had been used at various locations in Petaluma and Santa Rosa, Cox said. The victim told police she recalled that on the day of the wedding, she left her purse in a back room of the church.

"The victim returned after the wedding and retrieved her purse," Cox said. "Later that evening she discovered someone had stolen her wallet out of her purse."

The sergeant said she learned her card had been used without her knowledge when she called to notify her credit card companies.

Then at about 4 p.m. Jan. 6, police were notified of the Calvary Chapel incident. The victims were bridesmaids in a wedding that day at the venue, according to police.

"(They) left some of their personal belongings inside of the 'Brides Room,' which included their purses," Cox said. "The wedding party returned and found that an unknown suspect had entered the room and stole their wallets from their purses."

One of the bridesmaids "immediately" contacted her credit-card company and learned the suspect had used her credit card at various businesses in Petaluma, the sergeant said.

Petaluma police Community Service Officer Caiati took over the investigation and was able to obtain video surveillance footage showing someone using the bridesmaid's credit cards at Target in Petaluma, Cox said.

Officer Caiati then identified the suspect in the Target footage as the same person believed to be responsible for the incident Dec. 30 at Saint Vincent de Paul, Cox said.

Now, the Petaluma Police Department has released a photo of the woman they suspect in the crimes. Police described her as a heavyset white woman who has red hair.

The woman is wanted on suspicion of petty theft, five counts of burglary and five counts of unlawful use of credit cards, Cox said.

Anyone who recognizes her is asked to call Officer Flores at 707-781-1227 or CSO Caiati at 707-781-1209.

Photo courtesy Petaluma Police Department