Four New York teenagers were charged with identity theft after stealing a woman’s purse inside a Wal-Mart store.
The teens were arrested after Glenville police reviewed a videotape of the theft Oct. 10 from store security footage. The woman had placed her purse in the area of a shopping cart where children sit. Her purse was stolen when she turned her back on the cart.
The teens used the credit cards contained in the purse at the Price Chopper and Wal-Mart stores in Rotterdam. They are suspected of committing similar crimes in East Greenbush and Rotterdam.
David Readden and Aisha Pounds, both 19, are each charged with identity theft and grand larceny. Brianna Iacovitti, 16, was charged with a single count of identity theft and grand larceny. A 14-year-old juvenile was also charged.
Consumers must remember when shopping this holiday season that they’re not the only ones shopping – thieves are shopping too. They just have a different item on their list: gullible victims. Thieves are looking for victims to do exactly what the victim in this case did: turn away for just a moment, because a moment is all it takes for a thief to take advantage of a consumer.
When out shopping, make sure to keep your eyes on your belongings at all times. Carry only the credit or debit cards you need. When paying, whether with a debit or credit card, keep you eye on your card at all times. If you use your debit card, make sure to shield the screen when you input your PIN number. Never put your purse or wallet down and turn or walk away from it.
