TEXARKANA, Texas — Police are searching for a group of men who allegedly worked together to carry out a scheme at the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Summerhill Road.
According to the Texarkana Police Department, one or two of the suspects allegedly approached the elderly victim in a grocery store aisle and distracted her by asking a series of questions about what she was trying to buy. .
According to TTPD, while the victim turned away from the shopping cart and attempted to answer questions, another suspect quickly searched the victim’s wallet left in the cart and removed the wallet. The other suspects were said to have stood guard at the end of the aisle to warn other suspects if others were coming.
Within minutes, $2,500 in gift cards were purchased at two area stores using the victim’s debit card. After the woman received a call from her bank about a suspicious transaction on her way home, she realized what had happened and called 911.
TTPD Detective Jarrod Dean reviewed store surveillance video and found that the suspects performed the exact same “distracting swipe” on at least one other elderly female customer shortly before committing the crime on the victim. discovered that he had committed a crime. case. However, the person did not report anything to the police.
Police want to remind shoppers not to put wallets or wallets in carts inside stores. A few seconds of someone’s distraction can give a criminal enough time to steal the contents of your wallet.
If anyone knows the suspect or had any interaction with the suspect at the Summerhill Neighborhood Market, please contact Dean at 903-798-3116.