Purse Snatching

Purse snatching season is in full swing. <br/><br/>Purses are a big target during the holidays because they're easy to grab, they contain personal information and provide easy money with credit cards

Wednesday, December 20th 2006, 11:20 am

By: News On 6

Purse snatching season is in full swing.

Purses are a big target during the holidays because they're easy to grab, they contain personal information and provide easy money with credit cards and checks.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright has tips to keep your purse out of the thieves hands.

Two women at Woodland Hills Mall have had their purses taken at gunpoint in the past three days; both were in the parking lot, putting their packages in their vehicles.

Leaving your purse in your car isn't any safer. Another woman had her's taken out of her car at her daughter's daycare.

These surveillance pictures were taken moments after Kelsey's purse was stolen from her car at her daughter's daycare.

"I walked in to pick up my daughter and came back out, within two minutes and my purse and my jacket from work were gone," said Kelsey.

Kelsey immediately called police, the bank and her credit card company.

That quickly, someone had already used Kelsey's card. Police say this blonde woman made two trips through the same store with Kelsey's credit card, spending more than $700 on a big television and gift cards.

"She's using my purse, walked up like everything was hers, used my id to verify the purchase, yes, it's infuriating," Kelsey said.

Officers hope someone recognizes the woman and turns her in, because in many cases, this isn't a one-time thing; people use stolen credit cards and checks many times before getting caught.

This certainly isn't the Christmas lesson Kelsey wanted her 3-year old daughter to learn.

"She keeps pointing at the picture and asking why did she take your purse, why is she doing that?"

Purses are a dilemma, you have it on you, and someone either grabs it off your arm or sticks a gun in your face and demands it. You tuck it under the front seat, someone breaks your car window and takes it. You put it in your trunk, they break in, push the trunk release button and, it's gone. If you can, skip the purse and only carry your id and your money, in different pockets, preferably in your front pockets.

If you have to carry a purse leave the bulk of your credit cards, and your social security card at home. Also, make copies of everything, that way you can immediately notify your creditors if your purse is stolen.