Duo Stole Credit Cards From Seniors, Cops Say

Fairfax County Police have arrested two people who they believe stole credit cards from a number of unsuspecting elderly women around the region.

John Sylvester Washington, 50, and Tamara Hope Claiborne (also known as Tamara Frazier), 40, of Washington D.C., were charged with three counts of credit card theft and three counts of credit card fraud. 

"In each case, an older woman in a grocery store was approached by another woman who would request assistance in reading product labels. While the victim was distracted, a man would allegedly remove the victim’s wallet from her purse, as it sat unattended in her shopping cart," Fairfax County police said in a news release. 

The two would then buy gift cards using the stolen credit cards, police said.

The arrests were a result of a regional investigation started back in August 2009 by the Montgomery County, Md., police department. Detectives around the region were able to link about 50 incidents with an estimated $100,000 in fraudulent purchases. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.