Woman Accused Of Picking Shoppers Pockets In Aventura Mall
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AVENTURA (CBSMiami) – Police say they have arrested a woman who has been pickpocketing shoppers at the Aventura Mall.
Authorities released surveillance video from several stores in the mall, which they say shows 58-year-old Sylvia Lorenzo stealing wallets.
In the videos you see a woman pretending to be standing in line to make a purchase and then getting close to an unsuspecting shopper before reaching into their purse.
"She moves in quickly, covers her hand in a split second, grabbing a wallet with the victim not noticing it," says Sargent Chris Goranitis with the Aventura Police Department.
Police say she even wore a wig to disguise herself.
"Right now we have two victims and we are investigating several others at this time," said Goranitis.
Police call Lorenzo a professional. She's been in trouble before, too.
Her arrest record reveals grand theft charges between 1991 and 1993, a charge of obstructing a police investigation in 2001, a charge of robbery/sudden snatching in 2003 and a pick-pocket arrest in 2008, all at the same mall.
Lorenzo has bonded out of jail.
She had no comment on the allegations when CBS 4 went to her home.
Police remind shoppers to keep their purses close and an eye on their wallets at all times.
