Suspects Steal Wallet From Elderly Woman Shopping in Studio City: LAPD

STUDIO CITY, CA -- Two men believed to have acted together in order to steal a wallet from an elderly woman in Studio City are being sought by Los Angeles police.

The alleged theft occurred about 1:30 p.m. on March 31 while the victim was shopping at a grocery store in the 12800 block of Ventura Boulevard, according to an April 19 Los Angeles Police Department news release.

“...She was approached by a male suspect who distracted her by asking her a question about a food product,” LAPD stated in the release. “While distracted, the suspect removed the victim's wallet from her purse. A second suspect acted as a lookout."

The suspects then used the victim's credit cards at several locations, police allege.

North Hollywood Division robbery detectives are asking for the public's help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the two men.

Police described the first suspect as a well-dressed 45-year-old black man with black hair who stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 180 pounds and was wearing a business suit.

The second suspect was described as a 60-year-old black man with a mustache and gray, thinning hair who stands 6 feet tall, weighs 180 pounds and was wearing a white polo shirt with stripes and blue jeans.

The men were driving a white SUV, police said, though the make and model of the vehicle were not known.

Anyone with information about the suspects or the incident was asked to contact North Hollywood Area Detectives Hammer or Mahoney at 818-754-8424 during normal business hours or 877-527-3247 after-hours. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 800-222-8477, going online to Lacrimestoppers.org or through the P3 Tips cellphone app for iPhone or Android.

-- By Maggie Avants for Patch; Images via Los Angeles Police Department