HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is looking for several suspects who are becoming more and more brazen in their acts of pickpocketing up and down the Bay Area.
“We’re asking the public to help law enforcement put them behind bars before they strike again,” said HCSO.
Deputies first learned of a group of 3-4 suspects who stole a woman’s purse from her shopping cart at the Walmart on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon on February 19, 2022. They were later seen at another Walmart and McDonald’s using the victim’s credit card.
Then on April 3, 2022, at a Walmart on W Waters Ave, three suspects matching the description of the ones seen on February 19, were seen reaching into another woman’s purse while in the shopping cart and stealing a gold Apple iPhone 13 Max Pro worth over $1,000.
Throughout the investigation, detectives found that these thieves have struck in other areas like Bradenton and Sarasota. It is believed that they are connected to other similar crimes across the Bay Area.
“What started as a group of pickpockets creating a nuisance for a couple of people, has now become a ring of criminals that show no signs of stopping if and when they see an opportunity,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This is a group of bandits who use means of distraction to lure victims away from their valuables while another in their group grabs what they want, and then take off before the items are discovered to be missing.”
If you recognize any of these suspects or know their whereabouts, please call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200.
Suspect : White or Hispanic male, between approximately 30-45 years old, with a medium build, last seen wearing a blue Addidas t-shirt, blue shorts, black shoes, black satchel, sunglasses, and a facemask. Also, the male appears to have tattoos on the back of both of his calves.
Suspect 2: White or Hispanic female, between approximately 25-35 years old, with a medium build, last seen wearing a white cropped t-shirt, blue scarf, black shorts, black shoes, and a facemask.
Suspect 3: White or Hispanic male, between approximately 35-50 years old, with a medium build, last seen wearing a black and gray Adidas t-shirt, gray sweatpants, black backpack, black shoes, sunglasses, and a facemask.
Identified Suspect Vehicle: Possibly a black Chevrolet Cruz (Model Year: 2011-2014) or Chevrolet Malibu (Model Year: 2013) with an unknown license plate.
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They’re black Jack; and Should BE !