Indiana Woman Goes On Shopping Spree After Picking Up 'Found Wallet:' Police

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — A Hammond, IN, woman is accused of picking up a man’s wallet that fell out of his pocket but instead of returning it, went on a shopping spree instead. Luz Langumas, 50, is charged with five felony counts of identify theft.

A Palos Heights man reported that on Aug. 26 has wallet had been stolen and used at several stores. The resident told officers he last recalled having his wallet at the Shell gas station at 121st Street and Ridgeland Avenue.

Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the gas station, which showed a gray Ford Escape entering the lot. A woman, later identified as Langumas, appeared on surveillance video stepping out of her vehicle, picked up the man’s wallet and placing it into her pocket, police said.

The vehicle’s path was traced using Palos Heights’ FLOCK license plate reader system. Detectives were able to identify the vehicle’s registration shortly after it left the parking lot. Additional surveillance video obtained from various retailers, including Speedway, Shoe Carnival, Kohl’s/Sephora, PetSmart and Burlington. Police said retailers’ video showed Langumas using the man’s credit cards at each store.

The next day, Aug. 27, police said they were alerted that the Ford Escape and Langumas returned to the same Shell station in Palos Heights. Officers and detectives responded to the gas station, where they took Langumas into custody at the scene. Police said a store clerk later identified Langumas in a photo lineup, further linking her to the theft.

“She picked up a found wallet in the parking lot but instead of returning it, she went on a shopping spree,” said Deputy Chief John Parnitzke, of the Palos Heights Police Department.