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It's not your typical purse snatching, as one woman shopping at a Wal-Mart store found out. The thieves were quick and were after more than just money.
The thieves chose their target in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart store at 4627 S. 900 E. It happened last Thursday around noon.
The woman, who was unloading groceries, didn't see it coming. Lt. Paul Jaroscak, with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, said, "A car drives by, a woman leans out, grabs her purse out of the cart and yells, 'Go, Go, Go!' And the car takes off."
Investigators said the victim jumped in front of the car to try and stop it and could have been run down. She did get a license plate number, however.
That information led authorities to several suspects, including Tawnya Foster, who authorities arrested on felony fraud charges.
There could be more arrests. "I think we've learned that this is probably a part of a bigger ring of people who are doing this," Jaroscak said.
Investigators said the thieves were not just after cash but personal information used to steal victims' identities.
Authorities said they have several suspects. Jaroscak said, "We have several purses that we've recovered, and it looks like these people mixed and matched some of the identities."
Shoppers like Suzi Moline were not surprised to hear about what happened. She said, "Identity theft is so prevalent right now, you can't be too careful. I wish I could pay cash for everything." We noticed that Moline locked her purse in her car before unloading the groceries.
Another shopper, Heather Brown, kept her purse around her neck. Brown told us she doesn't take any chances. She said, "I just make sure I have my purse around my neck at all times and I'm aware of where things are."
Jaroscak also suggested securing your purse in the cart with the straps used to keep children in. That's a tip he got from his wife.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
