Pickpocket robs fourth victim Wednesday

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Elderly women in Fort Wayne are being targeted by a pickpocket according to Fort Wayne police. The department is currently investigating three incidents where the victims reported being robbed in a store parking lot.

According to police, the victims said as they were leaving the store, the suspect approached them and offered to help with their groceries, saying ‘here let me help you’ or ‘do you need help finding your car’. The suspect then assisted with their groceries, and removed the victim’s wallet from their purse.

The suspect is described as an African-American female, age 30 to 40, with a light complexion. It is also believed she is traveling with a white female.

The first victim was a 78-year-old woman who had her debit card stolen at the Scott’s on West State Blvd on October 8. The other two incidents happened at the Meijer on Lima Road on October 19. A 70 and 78-year-old both had several credit cards taken.

Then Wednesday, October 20, a woman in her mid-sixties had cash and credit cards stolen from her in the Apple Glen Wal-Mart.

The police department is reminding people to be aware of their surroundings at all times, and to always keep valuables on their person, and not resting in a shopping cart.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact the Investigative Division of the Fort Wayne Police Department at (260) 427-1201.