Two Purses Snatched From Shopping Carts in Hingham

Police are asking women to be cautious while shopping after two purses were snatched from carriages at two grocery stores in Hingham in the past week.

“Police remind you to carry your purse with you and not leaving it in the shopping cart when in the aisle,” the Hingham Police Department said. “Also, when checking out, put your purse down on the counter in front of you before you start unloading your items.”

Hingham Police Sgt. Steven Dearth said the first incident occurred at the Whole Foods Market at the Derby Street Shoppes on January 11 at 4:34 p.m. after a 66-year-old Chatham woman left her purse in her shopping cart unattended for a brief time and it was stolen.   The suspect, who went unnoticed by the woman, escaped with $1,000 cash, credit cards, driver’s license, and a cell phone.

Officers obtained a description of a man seen walking out of the store carrying a purse. That suspect is described as white, 5‟7”- 5‟10” man wearing a Nike baseball hat, gray or blue shirt, dark or black jacket, blue jeans and sneakers, police said in a statement.

The second incident occurred at the Hingham Stop & Shop last Sunday at 3:20 p.m. when a 65-year-old Hingham woman was checking out and unloading her groceries from her shopping cart to the counter.

Her purse, containing $100 cash and credit cards, was in the shopping cart when it was stolen, Dearth said.

A witness observed a male run out of the store with an item concealed under his sweatshirt and described the male as being between 5’9’’ to 5’10’’ with a tan complexion, stalky build, dark hair, wearing a hooded sweatshirt with gray stripes.

The victim’s credit cards had already been used at a gas station and store in South Weymouth before they could be reported stolen, police said.

Both incidents are under investigation. Police said althought the two incidents occurred in different food stores in opposite ends of town, they happened days apart and at approximately the same time and may be connected.