Woman’s car burglarized in Marco Island Publix parking lot

An ordinary trip to the grocery store in Marco Island became a burglary on Tuesday, when three suspects worked together to distract a woman before stealing her wallet from her car.

One of the suspects pointed out ketchup on the back of a woman’s car. And with her attention diverted, suddenly, her wallet was stolen.

WINK News spoke with John Schneider, a Marco Island resident, about what happened.

“That’s not good. I wouldn’t expect that to be happening on Marco Island,” Schneider said.

Marco Island police said two people were part of a trio who used a distraction to steal from the woman. The victim was putting away her groceries when a man wearing a covid mask approached her in the Publix parking lot, telling her ketchup was on her bumper.

While distracted, another man opened her car door, snatching her wallet.

Molly H., another Marco Island resident, talked to WINK News about what she does to stay safe in similar public scenarios.

“I try to be as aware as I can…and lock my car, and you know, I wear a Crossbody purse or keep things in my pocket. Those kinds of things… I try to be self-aware,” Molly said.

The female suspect, police say, was acting as a lookout in the parking lot.

“I kinda like to think I’m aware, but maybe I’m not all the time. But that’s what I try and do, just kind of be aware of my surroundings; that’s just wherever you go, anywhere,” Schneider said.