Trio targeting women shopping alone in the Tri-Cities has stolen $14,000
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- Three suspects targeted lone female shoppers across the Tri‑Cities, stealing $14,600.
- They distracted shoppers in stores, lifted phones and bank cards from open purses.
- Kennewick police named one suspect, traced a Toyota Sienna with CA plates, seek tips.
A group of three thieves are accused of stealing more than $14,000 by grabbing credit cards from distracted Tri-City shoppers.
The trio of roaming thieves — a 39-year-old man, an unidentified woman and a juvenile male — have struck the Tri-Cities first in July and a second time in September, Kennewick police said in a Facebook post.
They allegedly mostly target women who leave their purse in their cart, shopping by themselves in grocery stores. One of the suspects distracts the shopper, sometimes speaking in broken English and asking for help, while another one in the group grabs cellphones and wallets from the purse.
The victims are often unaware of the theft until much later, Kennewick police said.
The group then uses the victim’s bank cards to buy items, usually high-end electronics and gift cards. So far, in Kennewick, they’ve made $14,600 in fraudulent purchases.
They have been seen in the Tri-Cities multiple times. It’s not clear how many more thefts and purchases they’ve made in other areas.
Police have identified the man with the group as George Stefan, but haven’t learned who the other two are.
They have been traveling in a Toyota Sienna minivan with California license plates, and were last seen near the Oregon and California border, Kennewick police said.
Kennewick police Commander Isaac Merkl told the Tri-City Herald that detectives are working with local, state and federal agencies in an attempt to track the trio down.
It’s not clear if they have any ties to the Tri-Cities, but detectives believe they are family members, police said.
“These types of traveling criminal groups often use specific tactics and move quickly between states, making it difficult for law enforcement to track them,” Kennewick police said in a Facebook post.
The best way for shoppers to defend themselves is to be aware of what is going on around them and keep their purses shut with a hand on them, Merkl said.
“They are looking for those opportunities that happen in those split seconds when you’re distracted,” Kennewick police said.
Anyone with information about the group, or who may have been a victim, is asked to contact Kennewick police using the non-emergency dispatch number, 509-628-0333. They can also contact Detective Kirk Nebeker at 509-585-4208 and reference case number KPD 25-06170.