Cops seek sneak-thief in purse thefts at gas pumps

Camera catches purse thief in the act. (Courtesy Jeffco Sheriff's Office)

JEFFERSON COUNTY – Authorities in 11 jurisdictions want to find a man caught on camera stealing purses from vehicles while the owner is pumping gas, the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement released Friday.

The man is believed to be linked to at least 27 similar purse thefts since mid-January at gas stations in unincorporated Jeffco, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Federal Heights, Thornton, Broomfield, Littleton, Greenwood Village, Englewood and Denver.

The thief pulls up beside cars while the female victims are pumping gas, gets out of his vehicle and opens the unlocked front passenger door of the target vehicles according to investigators. The man then steals purses from the front seat of the vehicles, then shuts the door and drives away.

In two instances, the thief took purses from vehicles that were occupies. In one case, he reached across an at-risk adult to take a purse and, in another case, took a purse from a car with a child in the backseat. No injuries h=were reported in any of the cases, according to the statement.

The suspect is believed to be a white or Hispanic male 35- to 50-years-old, between 5-foot-8 and 6 feet tall, with a beard or moustache, and short to medium length brown hair. The thief has driven several different vehicles while committing the thefts.

Investigators urge citizens to be aware of their surroundings while pumping gas, and if they go inside, to lock their cars.

Investigators want anyone with information about the crimes to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 303-271-5612.