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By CHRIS CHMURA
cchmura@tbo.com
TAMPA - Detectives say they’ve caught on to the pattern of two scheming thieves who prey on vulnerable small businesses.
The men, both of whom appear to be older than 50, time their thefts when women are working alone, Tampa police said Thursday. Investigators figure one man works the counter, chatting up the clerk, while the other slips around the counter and steals her wallet from her purse.
Five women have reported incidents to police, including employees who work at the Bradley Title Company, 3084 North A Street, and the Baisden Gallery, 4901 Bay Way Place.
By the time the victims discover their money and credit cards are gone, police say, the bad guys have already started using them to buy cigarettes, food, and department store gift cards.
In surveillance video, the men are seen using stolen credit cards. They’ve been caught on tape twice.
Tampa police think the crooks are likely responsible for similar crimes in Temple Terrace.
The suspects are believed to be between 50- and 64 years old. One man had no teeth, the other is missing a tooth on the right side, police say. Both are black.
Witnesses told detectives that the accomplice, who they say sneaks around the counter to take the loot, mumbles as he speaks.
Anyone with information is asked to call 813-276-3592.
Buzz- And a fine job were doin too. Idiot!
I saw your report on the women who were targeted and had credit cards stolen.
The same thing happened recently in downtown Lakeland only there were two black females.
They had charged on stolen credit cards before the victim realized her wallet was stolen.
The victim was working at Fitz Gallery and was distracted by one woman while the other one apparently went behind the counter and took her wallet.
The victim is a friend of mine and what made this even worse for her was the fact that they took precious pictures of her son who was killed in a car accident just a few months earlier. Those memories meant more to her than the financial loss.
I have a business in downtown Lakeland and I hope this won’t become a pattern in our area.
Thanks for letting the public know so we can be on guard.
Deborah
So Buzz,
How’s that misogynistic moronic attitude working for ya?
It’s hard enough for working women, and then to be victimized, not only by thieves, but also by men in print, is pathetic. Thank God all these thieves did was steal their purses. The other consequences could have been a lot worse. Maybe this will remind women to be aware of their surroundings. Hopefully these men will be caught soon!
I don’t think that attacking the victims of crime with criticisms is the most constructive way to react. Let’s not call people we don’t know “stupid.” If trusting your fellow human beings is stupid, we’ve got some problems.
To Buzz: How can you make a comment like that? At least the women in this scenario have jobs! The men are so worthless they have to steal money from the women!
Women are so easily duped? Is that why men trow thier money away on strippers and lap dances and marry trophy wives. Get a grip pardner. Women rule more matters in this country than you can imagine. Just because they don’t have the title doesn’t mean that it doesn’t make them the “dedcider.”
Women are so easily duped.....It’s no wonder men rule the world.
It does seem quite rediculous that these women would leave their purses in an area which would be accessible to anyone. They should put them in an office or leave them locked in the trunk of their cars. However, stupidity does not excuse the fact that these women were prayed upon by the usual COWARD that cannot exist in life without praying on others. They are the scum of the earth and it is no wonder the US has the highest prison population on earth. Why don’t we just find an island and banish these people to prey on each other.
How in the world can the one guy get to the clerks purse? Do these women leave the purses on the counter? I would sure know it if someone was near my belongings.
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Posted by Dominick Alesandrini, Tampa on 06/30 at 08:22 AM
Why is it we can take a picture of a postage stamp from a satelite yet we don’t have a security camera thats clear enough to help identify these kinds of cockroaches?