Watch CBS News

Pinecrest Pickpockets Caught In Action On Surveillance Video

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

PINECREST (CBSMiami) – There's a trio of pickpockets targeting shoppers and restaurant goers in Pinecrest and police need your help to find them.

A fun time with friends quickly went bad when Susan Simon realized her wallet had been stolen right from her purse.

She was dining with her friends at Shaddai Restaurant in Pinecrest back in mid-November.

"It happened right behind me and I didn't even feel any movement of my chair or my bag," she explained. "I mean they're really professionals.  They really know what they're doing."

Pinecrest police released surveillance video Monday of two of those pickpockets in action.

They were  captured on surveillance video stealing a wallet from Simon's purse.

The men are seen selecting a table close to the victim and then moving the table closer to her table. Then one of the men uses a black jacket to conceal his hand while removing a wallet from the victim's purse. When the men are done, they tell the hostess that they are leaving because they are at the wrong restaurant.

The men were also seen on surveillance tape pick pocketing victims at Whole Foods and PF Changs in the Falls Shopping Mall between Wednesday, November 16th and Thursday, November 17th.

Two victim's credit cards were used at two Best Buy Stores (Pinecrest and Dadeland) and another victim's credit card was attempted to be used at Saks Fifth Avenue in Dadeland for a purchase of $2,739.20.

The victim at Whole Foods reported that $1,500 was also stolen from her purse.

"They pass on the credit card to a third suspect, who is a woman with blonde hair, and she goes and she makes purchases," said Michelle Hammontree.

A blonde, heavy-set woman seen on surveillance video purchased two Apple MacBooks for $4,284.98 at Best Buy in Pinecrest.

A sales associate told police that the woman asked him "for the most expensive computer."

The same woman is seen on surveillance video using a stolen credit card to buy an Apple MacBook Pro for $3,100 at Best Buy Dadeland.

Both purchases were made Wednesday, November 16th.

"I really hope that they get caught because that's a terrible invasion of everybody's privacy and it's a lot of money, especially during the holidays," Simon said.

Simon's advice to women is to keep their purses on their laps while dining out.

Hammontree suggests instead of signing your credit card, to write "See ID" so that clerks are reminded to ask for a form of identification during a transaction.

If you have any information on the suspects, contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.  You can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a $1,000 reward.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.