2 accused of stealing women’s wallets at a Cape Coral Target

Police say multiple people were stolen from while shopping at a Target in Cape Coral recently.

Cape Coral Police Department and Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers say an unknown man and woman are targeting women and stealing their wallets at a Target on Pine Island Road.

Surveillance video captured the two walking out with items in hand.

“They are committing crimes of opportunity,” said Trish Routte with Crime Stoppers. “They’re looking for easy victims.

Routte said the couple is taking wallets right out of purses left in shopping carts.

“We’ve all been through the grocery store, the different stores, and you walk down the aisles and you see people who are leaving their purses in the cart; they’re wide open; their wallets are right there for the taking,” Routte said.

With credit cards in hand, detectives say the thieves went to a Walmart in Cape Coral to buy big-ticket items.

The crimes have made shoppers alert to the dangers of leaving their purses unattended.

“I used to leave my purse in the shopping cart all the time, and now, you cannot do that anymore,” Diana Wilke said. “I keep it safe with me and like two or four eyes everywhere because it’s not safe anymore.”

Crime Stoppers is unsure how many victims are out there. Routte recommendations to keep your belongings safe.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477) and become eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.

“Keep that purse, keep your wallet very close to you,” Routte said. “If someone walks by and is looking for a target, and it’s going to be very, very difficult to get into that purse, get into that wallet, they’re going to move onto the next victim.”