Hawaii Island police are warning shoppers to keep a close eye on their handbags while shopping.
Since February, the Hawaii Police Department says it has received several reports of elderly female shoppers who had purses removed from shopping carts at various stores in Hilo. The thefts are under investigation.
Lt. Gregory Esteban from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section warned that it only takes seconds for someone to snatch a bag out of a cart while the shopper is turned away.
“We are advising women to keep their handbags on their person while out in public to avoid being a target of theft,” he said. “Often, the theft of a handbag can lead to additional crimes, such as unauthorized use of a credit card and identity theft.”
Any victims of purse snatching should call police at 935-3311.