Suspects Try To Use Elderly Woman's Stolen Credit Card To Buy Laptops: Cops

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Police are looking for two suspects in connection with the theft of an elderly woman's wallet at Trader's Joe in Arlington Heights earlier this month, according to a department alert. The incident happened at the store Sept. 5. The thieves are accused of trying to use the woman's credit card and another victim's credit card to buy more than $7,500 worth of items from Best Buy locations in Arlington Heights and Schaumburg, police said.

According to Arlington Heights police, the victim was in Trader Joe's when she was approached by a man asking for help reading a package label. Although the man's request confused her, the victim offered her help and looked away from her cart where here purse was, police said. The woman didn't realize her wallet was gone until she went to check out.

Shortly following the theft, the victim's bank contacted her about an attempt to charge $5,400 for two Apple MacBooks at the Schaumburg Best Buy, police said. Before the Trader Joe's incident, the two suspects were caught on security camera video trying to use another victim's credit card to buy $2,199 worth of merchandise at the Arlington Heights Best Buy, according to police. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Arlington Heights news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Police released photos and descriptions of the two suspects:

• the man who approached the victim at Trader Joe's is described as possibly Hispanic, between 30 to 40 years old and around 180 to 200 pounds
• the woman seen in security camera video footage is described as Hispanic in her 30s, about 5 feet and around 140 to 160 pounds.

Anyone with information about this incident can provide an anonymous tip via text or phone:

• Text: Send keyword 847AHPD and the message to 847411.
• Phone: Call Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers at 847-590-STOP (7867).

Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Two suspects are wanted by Arlington Heights police in connection with the theft of an elderly woman's wallet at Trader Joe's (Photo via Arlington Heights Police Department)

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