Crime & Safety
LCSO Investigates Purse Snatching
Anyone who might have seen the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office as soon as possible. You may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance to help identify a suspect involved in a purse snatching that occurred Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the parking lot of the Dulles Crossing Plaza in Sterling.
At about 5:50 p.m., a 33-year-old Herndon woman was loading items into her vehicle when a small pick-up drove by and bumped the woman’s shopping cart. The driver then reached out of the driver’s side window and grabbed the victim’s purse from the shopping cart. The vehicle then fled the area.
The vehicle is described as light colored, possibly a Nissan or Isuzu, with a small extended cab and a spoiler on the rear tailgate. Video of the incident can be viewed here.
If you have any information regarding the possible identity of the suspect or the whereabouts of the suspect vehicle, you are asked to contact Investigator C. Cunningham of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous are asked to call Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. If the information leads to an arrest and indictment, the caller could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
In light of this incident, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office offers residents a few tips to help keep you safer while you shop this holiday season:
•Do not carry a purse unless absolutely necessary. Take your credit cards, identification, and a small amount of pocket cash and keep it in a pocket.
• If you make purchases in cash, try to be observant to who may be watching you as you count out any money.
•If you use credit cards, keep ALL receipts, even for debit purchases.
•Do not keep excessive numbers of gifts stored in your vehicle while you shop.
•Keep an eye out as you go to and from your vehicle. Are you seeing the same car or persons at different stores? Does it appear that they may be following you?
•DO NOT purchase multiple “high end” electronics in a single shopping day. This attracts attention and leaving them in the car while you continue to shop is very risky.
•If you must secure shopping items in your vehicle, do so by placing them in the trunk. This makes them less visible and harder for a thief to get to in order to take them.
•Lastly, TRUST YOUR INSTINCT! If it looks like something is wrong then make the call. The Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 703-777-1021.
