Police Seeking Rego Mall Pickpocket

Police in the 112 Precinct are searching for a suspect in connection with a pickpocketing incident in the Rego Center Mall.

On Jan. 30 at 1 p.m., a suspect was caught on video stealing the pocketbook of a shopper in the Century 21 Department store in Rego Park.

In the video, released by police, the suspect sits next to her victim on a bench while she tries on shoes. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach into her victim's purse, the suspect finally grabs the wallet, surreptitiously slips it into her pants pocket and walks away.

The suspect, a woman between 40- and 50-years-old, was described as 5'4" with a heavy build and black hair. She was wearing a black jacket and black pants at the time of the incident.

If anyone has any information, they are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips at the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.