Credit Cards Stolen At Restaurants Used At Target, Walmart

BETHESDA, MD — A woman suspected of using credit cards stolen last month from the purses of customers at La Madeleine Country French Café in Bethesda and a Rockville Panera Brea were later used at stores including Target and Walmart, say Montgomery County Police. Authorities released surveillance camera images of the woman Tuesday in hopes the public can identify her.

Detectives say the suspect fraudulently charged merchandise to one resident’s stolen credit card and attempted to charge merchandise to a second victim’s stolen credit card. The first theft happened about noon on June 5 when a woman dining at the La Madeleine Country French Café restaurant, 7607 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda, reported her wallet was stolen from her purse.

The victim was later notified by her bank that there had been an attempt to use her credit cards at the Target store at 5700 Bou Avenue in Rockville.

A second theft was reported about 6:30 p.m. on June 14 when a woman eating at the Panera restaurant, 1780 E. Jefferson St. in Rockville, had three credit cards stolen from her purse. The victim's bank later said that two credit cards were used in an attempt to buy merchandise and one credit card was successfully used to purchase items at Target, 20908 Frederick Road in Germantown. An attempt to use one of the credit cards at the Walmart Supercenter store at 20910 Frederick Road in Germantown was denied.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call police at 240-773-6070, or 240-773-6729, 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 that leads to an arrest in this case. To be eligible for a reward, tipsters must call Crime Solvers. Callers may remain anonymous.

Police urge residents to follow these tips to prevent having a purse or wallet stolen:

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

»Suspect images courtesy of Montgomery County Police