Published: August 07, 2008 11:52 pm      

Police: Purse stolen from car

Beckley Police are searching for a suspect they believe stole a purse during a car break-in and then used the victim’s credit card to buy gas and potty training pants just minutes later.

Around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, a woman’s purse was taken from her car in a “smash-and-grab” break-in at the Robert C. Byrd Drive Kentucky Fried Chicken, said Patrolman M.R. Gonzalez. While he was speaking to the female victim, the woman found out one of her credit cards was used to buy $10 in gas at the Sprague Hill Little General.

The gas purchase was made just 20 minutes after the theft was reported, Gonzalez said. Police tried to catch up with the suspect, but no one was seen. The suspect paid at the pump.

At 3:45 p.m., the stolen card was used to buy Huggies Pull-Ups potty training pants at the Byrd Drive Rite Aid, Gonzalez said. There, a female suspect was seen using the card.

Gonzalez noted each time a credit card is fraudulently used, that constitutes a felony charge — no matter how much or how little is purchased.

The victim has since managed to cancel all of her credit cards, and no other purchases have been recorded, Gonzalez said.

The female suspect spotted in Rite Aid is described as having dark skin and a medium-to-heavy build, Gonzalez said. She was wearing a white shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the Beckley Police Department at 304-256-1720 or Crime Stoppers at 304-255-7867.

— Amelia Pridemore