19/03/2024 5:16 AM

sundeliandliquor

Crackle Fashion

Sunshine Coast police warn against shopping alone, as bag snatcher ‘stalks’ women getting fuel and groceries

Sunshine Coastline law enforcement are warning folks to stay clear of buying by itself just after a bag snatcher targeted at least 4 ladies and stole their purses.

It is alleged a person driving a stolen white Mitsubishi Challenger focused a woman at a services station at Caboolture South on Friday, July 22, stealing her bag.

Police say he returned the following working day and stole a bag from a 27-12 months-outdated female at the same area.

Performing Detective Inspector Phil Hurst mentioned the exact same man was believed to be dependable for thieving handbags from two other ladies in the region at buying centre auto parks among Saturday and Sunday, a single on Bowman Highway, Caloundra and the 2nd at Jones Street, Buderim.

“At a procuring centre down at Bowman Road, the vehicle did circle the shopping centre, then park a length from a 68-12 months-old girl,” Acting Detective Inspector Hurst stated.

A grainy photo of a white four-wheel drive.
A CCTV image of the 4-wheel drive allegedly stolen from Hilltop Cresent, Maroochydore.(Provided: Queensland Police)

“While she was unloading the groceries, he … approached the vehicle and just snatched the bag off the again seat and ran.

“So there was absolutely some stalking of the victim ahead of this happened to make positive that she’s identified as susceptible.”

The person is also accused of thieving a cell phone from a cafe on Gympie Street at Hamilton on Saturday.

“This individual who is considered dependable for all of this was performing this down in Brisbane and has shifted his procedure up right here fundamentally,” Performing Detective Inspector Hurst reported.

Person ‘circles’ motor vehicle parks looking for victims

He claimed the 4-wheel generate the male was thought to be driving was stolen from a Hilltop Crescent tackle at Maroochydore in March.

Acting Detective Inspector Hurst said the auto had been noticed circling around car or truck parks for around five minutes right before buying his focus on. 

A grainy photo of a young man wearing gloves, a black hoody and sunglasses on perched on his head.
Law enforcement have produced images of a male who is a individual of desire in relation to a spate of alleged purse snatchings.(Supplied: Queensland Police)

“This is a criminal offense series that we’ve joined back again to the white Mitsubishi Challenger that was stolen from Maroochydore,” he reported.

“In one particular of the occasions, the handbag was snatched from the person’s shoulder, so there is certainly definitely a sort of violence in the offending as perfectly.

“Older people may well be more inclined to be far more carrying more income and some of the young people today.”

Police have launched visuals of a male who is a person of fascination. 

They have also issued an alert to citizens advising them to prevent searching by yourself the place feasible.

“The human being has been fairly daring the place these offences have been committed on CCTV, so we do have footage,” Acting Detective Inspector Hurst mentioned.

“The police are inquiring for people who do seem at that footage to see if they can discover the offender or present any info.” 

Be informed of your environment

Officers say people really should get precautions when procuring, which includes not carrying just about anything useful, avoiding putting purses or wallets in browsing luggage and leaving purses on a vehicle seat although placing groceries in a automobile.

< div class="_1Axyg" style="--aspect-ratio:1" data-component="AspectRatioContainer">A serious police detective with his badge around his neck stands with blurred trees in the background.
Acting Detective Inspector Phil Hurst says the exact same guy is thought to be liable for thieving at the very least 4 hangbags.(ABC News: Owen Jacques)

“Remaining conscious of your surroundings and staying knowledgeable if you are procuring by yourself … consider any precautions that you can,” Acting Detective Inspector Hurst explained.

“People today staying focused at instances have been more mature people, have been ladies who have been isolated from other individuals, which does build vulnerability.”