Police: Suspect stole wallet from woman in wheelchair

Montgomery County police on Thursday released surveillance footage of a suspect they believe stole a wallet from a backpack on the back of a woman’s wheelchair while the woman was shopping at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Police said they believe the same suspect stole credit cards from a purse placed on a chair at a Panera in Aspen Hill. In about three hours, police say the suspect ran up $11,000 worth of charges on the cards, which belonged to a 51-year- old woman.

Police said the 48-year-old woman who had her wallet stolen at Westfield Montgomery called her credit card companies two-and-a-half hours after shopping at the mall. The suspect allegedly charged about $3,000 dollars on her credit cards at multiple locations in Wheaton. The incident happened on June 30.

The Aspen Hill incident happened on July 10.

Detectives today released still photos of the female suspect and an eight-second long surveillance video of her walking into a store. Police said video of the fraudulent transactions involving both victims’ credit cards led them to the same suspect.

Police said the suspect might be wearing a wig in the video.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect in the video or has information about these crimes is asked to call the 4th District Petty Crimes Unit at 240-773-5476.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip here.  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for these crimes.

Credit card theft suspect, via  MCP Credit card theft suspect, via  MCP Credit card theft suspect, via  MCP

Photos and video via Montgomery County Police

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