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Cops hunt for serial purse snatcher

Cops hunt for serial purse snatcher
NYPD
By Esther Animalu

The 109th Precinct was searching for a suspect in connection with a series of grand larcenies in Flushing.

Reports of stolen property from several victims were disclosed to police, all believed to be victims of the suspect.

On April 12, at 6 p.m. inside 41-10 Main St., a 30-year-old woman placed her bag on a chair beside her, when the suspect removed her wallet without the victim realizing, police said. Upon further investigation by authorities, it was determined that the individual made several purchases including buying an MTA fare card.

This incident was the second of its kind in April, following two prior thefts in March, police said.

On April 2, at 6:20 p.m. inside of 39-20 Main St., a 38-year-old woman left her bag unattended and when she returned to her seat, she realized her purse was missing, according to authorities. The purse contained $40 in cash, police said.

On March 22, at 12:51 p.m. inside 136-20 Roosevelt Ave., a 22-year-old woman was dining at the location and had her purse hanging on the chair. The suspect sat behind the victim and removed her wallet, which contained $800 cash and her credit cards, before departing in an unknown direction, police said. Authorities determined that the suspect also used the victim’s credit card to make several purchases after the theft, including a purchase of an MTA card.

The first incident occurred March 15, at 11:23 a.m. inside of 40-06 Main St., when a 51-year-old woman was approached from behind by the suspect, who removed the victim’s wallet from her purse without her realizing it, before departing in an unknown direction, police said. It was later determined that the individual used the victim’s credit card to make a purchase on an MTA vending machine, according to authorities.

Police described the individual as a black man between the ages of 50 and 60.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). All calls will remain confidential.

Reach reporter Esther Animalu by e-mail at eanimalu@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4574.