After Thefts Reported in Grocery Stores, Police Advise Shoppers to Be Alert

As the holiday season pulls into full swing, area police provide simple tips to keep you safe while shopping.

This past weekend in the Greater Annapolis area, city police reported two instances of purses or wallets being stolen from grocery carts while women were shopping.

Police said they responded to a woman’s home in Admiral Heights in Annapolis at about 2 p.m. Saturday. The woman, 85, told police she was shopping at at about 11:30 a.m. when her wallet was removed from her purse.

According to police reports, the woman said the purse, which had the wallet inside, was placed on the upper part of the cart. The woman told police on occasion she walked away from the cart and the purse while she was shopping.

It was not until she went to pay for her purchases that she realized her wallet was no longer there, police said.

Police said a credit card that was in the wallet was used at Macy’s at the . Police contacted someone from Macy’s Loss Prevention and Shoppers, who both told the officers they would review any security video of the incident.

Also on Saturday, a Severn woman reported that her purse was stolen while she was shopping at the in the 1700 block of Forest Drive in Annapolis. Police said the incident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to the police report, surveillance video revealed that the woman, in her mid 20s, left the store and left her purse in the shopping cart when someone took the purse from the cart and entered the store.

Detective Amy Miguez, a spokeswoman for the Annapolis Police Department, said it is unclear at this time if the two incidents are connected.

“The biggest tip to shoppers is not to put your purse in your cart,” Miguez said via email.

“Carry your purse at all times. Pay attention to what is going on around you. If your purse does get stolen, report it right away. Make sure to keep a list of your credit card numbers and phone numbers so you can call them quickly to have your cards canceled,” she added.

In addition, Maryland State Police officials provided the following tips for safe holiday shopping in a recent press release:

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Go shopping with one or more friends if possible.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and of people who may be acting suspiciously.
• Report suspicious circumstances or persons to security or police right away.
• Do not leave purchases, pocketbooks, cell phones, or other valuables visible inside your vehicle.
• Always lock your car and take the key.

Check Patch later this week for Black Friday Safety Tips from Arundel Mills Marketing Director Wendy Ellis.