Search for thieves in suburban pickpocket spree

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (WPVI) -- Authorities are warning residents about pickpockets targeting shoppers and diners in Montgomery and Chester counties.

More than a dozen people have had their wallets taken, and some of the crimes have been caught on surveillance camera.

Video cameras captured an attempted theft inside Wegmans earlier this month. A shopper is seen being engaged in conversation by one of the suspects. The suspect soon gives her partner a signal, and he then goes in. But as he goes to grab the wallet out of the purse, the shopper turns around and he pulls away.

Upper Merion Police Lieutenant Michael Martin explains, "If you have your purse, keep it zipped up, keep it snapped, keep it secured."

Lieutenant Martin says a group of at least eight individuals has been targeting shoppers in the King of Prussia and Tredyfferin area over the past six months. Upper Merion has twenty cases in that time span - ten in the last two months.

Last week the thieves stole several wallets at the Gateway shopping center. Once they get your wallet, they go to work charging.

Lt. Martin tells us, "A lot of times they'll try and get some high end electronics. If the cards will go through, if they can make those purchases, often they'll just get gift cards and they're easy to sell on the street."

Tredyfferin resident Angelee Harvey says, "I never thought about it. I just feel like this is a safe area, and I just never imagined someone is going to do that here."

Police say always be aware of your surroundings, place your purse between your feet if you can, and never place it on the back of a chair.

Police also recommend that on the back of your credit cards do not sign your name. Instead write "see identification" or "see I.D.".