Purse thief stalking distracted shoppers

Clay County detectives are looking for a person who stole wallets out of women's purses at local grocery stores.  

Surveillance images from a Fleming Island Publix shows shoppers with their purses in their shopping carts, and their backs turned, making it easily accessible to a thief to go swipe their wallets.

Channel 4 took our cameras inside one supermarket and it didn't take long to find shoppers with their backs turned to their carts.

Shopper Andrea Pressley said she is careful when she shops. 

"When I see someone who leaves their purse I think you've got to be careful," she said. 

According to Channel 4 Crime Analyst Ken Jefferson, grocery store thefts are very common. Jefferson said he has worked security over the years at various supermarkets off duty and saw situations like these first hand.

"As recently as last week I brought it to a lady's attention that I could have easily if I was a bad guy. She was totally engaged in conversation with someone else," Jefferson said. 

Jefferson said no matter where people go, you should always stay cautious.

"If you're going to take [your purse] in your cart, put it in an area where the kids will sit and strap it in, make it hard for a potential thief to have to get it. That's an extra safety precaution."