$12K in Purchases Charged at Westfield Mall, Target by Thief: Police

BETHESDA, MD — Images have been released of a woman suspected of stealing a wallet from a diner at a Bethesda restaurant and treating herself to a shopping spree at a Target store and Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Montgomery County Police say the stolen credit cards were used in late August. On Friday, investigators released surveillance photographs of a woman using the stolen credit cards and asked for the public’s help to identify her.

Detectives say that on Aug. 18 a woman was dining at Cosi restaurant, 7251 Woodmont Ave. in Bethesda, and during that time, the victim hung her purse from the back of her restaurant chair. After the victim returned home that night, she was notified by her bank that her credit cards had been used fraudulently. The victim then discovered that her wallet, which contained her credit cards, had been stolen from her purse.

The suspect in the surveillance photographs fraudulently used the victim’s stolen credit cards to purchase about $12,000 worth of merchandise at various stores within the Westfield Montgomery Mall and at a Target in Rockville.

Anyone with information about the suspect or this crime is asked to call police at 240-773-6710 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case. To be eligible for a reward, tipsters must call Crime Solvers. Callers may remain anonymous.

Follow these tips from police to help prevent having a purse or wallet stolen:

• Carry your closed purse as close to your body as possible and keep it in sight at all times.
• Carry a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
• Do not become distracted while involved in your activities. Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

»Surveillance images of suspect using stolen credit cards at Montgomery County stores, courtesy of Montgomery County Police