Trader Joe's Thieves Distracted Woman To Steal Purse In Calabasas: Deputies

CALABASAS, CA — Authorities are searching for a pair of people suspected of distracting a woman while she was loading groceries into her car at Trader Joe's in order to steal her purse from the front seat of her car.

The incident occurred on May 24 in the parking lot of the Calabasas store. The victim placed her purse on the front passenger seat of her vehicle and proceeded to load her groceries in the trunk of her vehicle as she was approached by the first suspect, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The first suspect distracted the woman by asking for directions as the second suspect entered the woman's unlocked vehicle and stole her purse, which contained jewelry, an iPhone and cash, deputies said.

The pair fled in the silver 2017 Toyota RAV4 driven by a third suspect, deputies said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Detective Torrontegui at 818-878-5533. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or online.