By Staff
April 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Purse snatching has been increasing in the Region. The Regional Police have been putting out warnings and arrests are being made. There is a suspect the police would like to talk to.
A purse belonging to a senior was stolen from the back of a chair outside of the Starbucks Store at Mapleview Mall in Burlington.
Soon after the theft, the thieves began fraudulently using the seniors’ credit cards at several Burlington area stores.
After some investigation, police have identified one of the persons responsible.
On April 4th 2018 the Natasha HOADLEY (29 years old) from Hamilton was arrested and held for bail charged with the following offences:
• Theft under $5000
• Fraud Under $5000 (two counts)
• Unauthorized use of a credit card (two counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime.
Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the accomplice in this theft.
He is described as Male, black, 6’2, 170 lbs, thin build, long black hair in dreadlocks.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents or other purse thefts is asked to contact Detective Constable Derek Gray of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Vulnerable Persons and Seniors Liaison Team at 905-825-4747 ext. 2344.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Purse Theft Prevention Tips
Watch the Crime Stoppers Video of purse thefts (actual footage)
Halton Regional Police are reminding residents to keep a close eye on their purses and wallets.
Residents should be aware of their surroundings and be alert for distraction type thefts when shopping in the grocery stores, malls and other retail business.
Prevention Tip: Residents are reminded to only carry the necessary identification such as Driver’s Licence or Health Card, and should try to minimize this potential loss by leaving their SIN card, birth certificate and passports securely at home.
If you become a victim of a purse or wallet theft please contact your financial services providers, cancel you cards and then call the Halton Regional Police to file a report.
People charged with a criminal offence are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related article:
Supermarket staff help capture purse snatcher
