10 Deception Thefts In Suffolk; Police Cracking Down

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — There has been a string of deception larcenies in Suffolk County dating back to mid-July, and Suffolk police said they are looking for the thieves.

At least four people have been targeting and stealing from women in retail parking lots, police said.

A woman was in the parking lot of Costco, at 10 Garet Place in Commack, at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday, when she was approached by a man who asked for directions, police said. When the woman entered her vehicle, she realized her wallet was missing from the passenger seat, police said. The woman went back into Costco to see if someone had returned her wallet and saw the man accompanied by another male at the entrance of the store, police said. They fled when they saw her, police said.

Nine similar deception larcenies, during which someone was approached by a person asking for directions while a second person stole credit cards, have been reported, police said.

The thefts occurred in the following parking lots, police said:

• Costco, 125 Beacon Dr., Holbrook, on July 30 at 4 p.m.
• Costco, 3000 Route 25, Nesconset, on July 30 at 2:33 p.m.
• Bed, Bath & Beyond, 3083 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport, on July 21 at 1:30 p.m.
• Costco, 10 Garet Place, Commack, on July 21 at 2:38 p.m.
• Costco, 625 Broadhollow Road, Melville, July 21 at 12:45 p.m.
• Costco, 625 Broadhollow Road, Melville, July 16 at 2:15 p.m.
• Costco, 10 Garet Place, Commack, on July 16 at 2:30 p.m.
• Costco, 10 Garet Place, Commack, on July 14 at 4:25 p.m.
• Costco, 625 Broadhollow Road, Melville, on July 14 at 2:30 p.m.

In some cases, there were two women and a man causing the thefts, police said. One suspected woman has been described as possibly pregnant, police said. Another woman was described as tall, thin, and nicely dressed, police said. One of the men was described as dark-skinned, between 5 feet 7 inches tall and 5 feet 8 inches tall and of Indian or Eastern European descent, police said.

Anyone with information about these incidents was asked to call Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.