Woman allegedly steals from couple attending funeral


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MIDVALE — Police are trying to track down a woman who is suspected of breaking into a car and stealing a purse while the car owners were attending a funeral.

Lex Madsen and his wife were attending the funeral of a longtime family friend on Sunday when the break-in and burglary took place.

Madsen was forced to miss paying his respects at the graveside service because he was talking to the police and filling out reports.

After the burglar smashed a window and took the purse, she immediately went to the Wal-Mart in Midvale on 7265 Union Pacific Avenue and tried to use the stolen credit cards. Detectives said the woman and any accomplices likely had experience with the crime.

"They knew that if they don't do it soon then the cards would probably get canceled," said Sgt. Jon Arnold of the Sandy Police department.

The transaction at Wal-Mart did not go through because the bank declined the irregular charges on the stolen debit card.

Madsen said that the suspect was able to change the PIN number on the debit card based on information that was in the purse. The suspect then successfully made purchases at the Fresh Market on 5632 S. 900 East, and at Rancho Market on 3300 S. 898 East.

However, security cameras recorded images of the suspected thief taking the stolen purse into Wal-Mart, as well as images of what is believed to be the suspect's car — a light-colored sedan.

"We fortunately in this case were able to obtain some pretty good video of the suspect," said Lt. Justin Hoyal of the Unified police department.

Police officers and the Madsens hope the images make a difference.

"This person needs to pay for it," Madsen said. "They do. They need to be caught. Somebody needs to turn them in."

Investigators are still in the process of collecting leads and surveillance video. Anyone with information has been asked to contact Salt Lake Unified Police at 801-743-7000 or the Sandy Police Department at 801-840-4000.

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