Cops caution - Be wary or be sorry

Now that Thanksgiving Day has come, it’s officially the yuletide season - the holiday lights are bright; the stores are crowded - and the police don’t want your holidays ruined by inattention.
“With the approaching holiday season, we are alerting people to be more aware of their surroundings,” said Deputy Inspector Matthew Whelan, commander of the 109th Precinct in Flushing. “Especially when it comes to putting their shopping bags in vehicles,” he added.
Police deal with “crimes of opportunity” all the time, cops say. People regularly leave personal belongings (women’s handbags are frequent targets) unattended, and a thief or team of thieves often help themselves to the contents.
With all the holiday shopping and distractions, it’s even worse, Whelan warns.
“Shoppers should be aware of the possibility of being distracted by someone and having another person take their wallet,” he said.
Solo snatchers usually work the stores, lifting wallets from shoppers who are so intent on finding that perfect item that they lose track. Police ask shoppers to keep track of their personal property while they’re shopping.
The teams usually work the parking lots in shopping areas, said Anthony LoVerme, the Crime Prevention Officer in the 109.
“Women especially, leave their handbags on the front seat of their car with the door open, while they load packages in the back,” LoVerme said. “If someone tries to command your attention in a parking lot, it’s time to look around.”
The Flushing precinct has had rashes of such larceny in the past, and their warnings to the public have helped reduce crime, LoVerme pointed out.
“We always have these types of crimes,” he admitted. “It’s just that with the busiest shopping season of the year, we want to get the word out there in advance, so fewer people have their holidays ruined,” the Crime Prevention Officer said.