Beware Of Distractors Pickpocketing Shoppers In Tredyffrin: Police

TREDYFFRIN, PA — Police warn residents there has been an uptick in pickpocketing offenses in the T.J. Maxx in Gateway Shopping Center and the ACME in Paoli Shopping Center.

Police said in most cases, the actors approach unsuspecting women shopping in the stores with one actor distracting the shopper, while another grabs a wallet from the shopper’s cart or purse and takes the credit cards.

The suspects in all cases then proceed to area retail establishments where they used the victims’ credit cards to make large purchases.

Police said it does not appear that the actors in these cases are the same, and it is unknown at this time if the actors are known to each other.

The Tredyffrin police urge everyone to be cognizant of their surroundings and mindful of their personal items at all times.

This includes not leaving purses or bags unattended in shopping carts, looped on the back of chairs at restaurants, or visible within unoccupied vehicles.

Anyone with information related to the identity of the individuals is asked to contact Detective Dan McFadden at 610-408-3649 or via email at dmcfadden@tredyffrin.org.