North Naples holiday shoppers targeted by group of wallet thieves

Published: Updated:
MGN Online

NORTH NAPLES, Fla.- There have been nearly half a dozen purse and wallet thefts at North Naples shopping centers and authorities are warning shoppers to be vigilant this holiday season.

After a purse was stolen off a woman’s arm at a North Naples Publix, deputies caught the thief a short distance from the scene. Witnesses wrote down the car description and license plate number which led to the arrest of Isaiah Jones.

Over the past two weeks there have been an estimated five distracted wallet thefts inside of shopping centers. Two victims’ wallets were taken at the Bed, Bath and Beyond on Pine Ridge Road on the same day.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office believes five women are working in a group to steal wallets.

In the Bed, Bath and Beyond cases two female suspects took a wallet and ran out. During the commotion, another female suspect was still inside and stole a second wallet. Deputies describe the getaway car as a 2015 silver, four-door Hyundai Sonata, with a Florida license plate of 133 QHC.

Naples Security Solutions says there are easy ways to protect your purse this holiday season:

  • Keep your purse on your shoulder
  • Zip or button your purse up
  • Attach a bell or device on the zipper that makes noise
  • Never leave your purse in the car while shopping

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