Purse snatcher strikes at church

REDLANDS — Watch your purse at church.

Purse theft

Police are seeking a women suspected of stealing wallets from at least two Redlands church congregations following services. On Aug. 30, the suspect stole a wallet from the unattended purse of a woman during a social activity following services at First Congregational Church on Olive Avenue and Cajon Street.

A few weeks later, the same woman is believed to have stolen the wallet from another unattended purse following services at First Lutheran Church at Cypress Avenue and San Mateo Street.

Following both incidents, stolen credit cards were used at markets in Redlands, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga and at a gas station in Yucaipa.

“Nothing yet,” Redlands police spokesman Carl Baker said regarding the current investigation.

Redlands police obtained a description of the woman from surveillance videos at the stores where the stolen cards were used.

She is described as a white adult female, 5-feet-5-inches, approximately 200 pounds with light brown hair below the shoulder.

Baker said local residents should be warned not to leave their purses or other valuabes unattended and to be aware of unfamiliar people.

Investigator Larry Hawkins was leading the investigation and can be reached at (909) 798-7659.