Police Seek 2 Purse Snatchers Targeting Elderly

Security video was released Tuesday of two women being sought for committing a series of "distraction burglaries" targeting elderly women in the San Fernando Valley.

In one crime, which occurred about 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24, the women entered a beauty salon in the 6600 block of Reseda Boulevard, and one suspect distracted employees and customers while the other suspect took a woman's purse, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Some victims told police they thought the suspects may work for a cleaning company. On one occasion, the suspects used a victim's credit card to buy cleaning supplies at a business in the 14900 block of Raymer Street. Police circulated video of the suspects from that store.

The women are described as having brown hair. One is 45-50 years of age, 5 feet 3 inches tall, and weighs about 160 pounds. The other is about 40 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighs 150-160 pounds.

They may have driven a large, dark-colored SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Suburban. Anyone with information on the case was urged to call detectives at (818) 374-7768, or (877) LAPD-247.

--City News Service