3 Wallets Stolen in a Few Hours in Central Park

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — There were three reports this weekend — within two hours — of wallets stolen while customers were shopping at Central Park stores, according to Fredericksburg City Police.

At 1 p.m., a Target customer reported her wallet was stolen while it was left unsecured at Target.

At 1:53 p.m., a customer at Walmart reported that someone had stolen her wallet from her purse.

Two hours later, a Wegmans customer reported a similar theft.

From October: Women Grab Purse From Wegmans Shopping Cart

These thefts are often a coordinated effort between 2-4 thieves, and have been noted in crime reports from these stores in the past.

In security footage from October, two women are seen exiting Wegmans after a woman’s wallet was stolen from her purse. They reportedly used a stolen credit card at another store a short time later.

How to Protect Your Purse

Here’s 3 top tips to avoid pickpocketing, according to expert Bob Arno and Nightline:

1. Don’t Be Distracted Just Because Someone Appears Trustworthy

Most pickpocketing instances are crimes of opportunity, Arno said.

“It’s more about [people] not paying attention. … Victims make it easy for the thief,” he said. “[Thieves] all say they love the person who is lackadaisical. They can practically smell them.”

2. If It’s Easy for You to Get Into, It’s Easy for Thieves Too

Instead of leaving your purse or backpack in the cart or hanging off a chair at a restaurant, Arno suggested carrying it under your arm or keeping it in front of you.

“If I’m feeling at all threatened I have it up front,” he said.

3. Keep Everything in Your Line of Sight

Never, ever leave your purse or bag in the shopping cart and walk away from it, Arno said. It will make you a prime target.

See Arno’s tips in action at Nightline.