Sheriff searching for grocery store pickpockets

Shoppers beware — Historic City News has been informed that a man and woman, apparently working as a team, are being sought in connection with the theft of two wallets; picked from the purses of separate victims at two local grocery stores last Friday.

The first incident occurred early Friday afternoon at Winn Dixie in the 3900 block of A1A South at St Augustine Beach. The 58-year-old victim stated that she had conducted her grocery shopping and was at the checkout when she discovered her wallet missing from her purse.

A search of surveillance video showed that when the victim was in the produce section, her purse was behind her in the shopping cart. A man stands beside the victim, partially blocking her view, while a woman is observed removing the woman’s wallet from her purse. The couple left a full cart of groceries in the aisle and exited the store.

A short time later, at Publix in the 900 block of SR-16, the second victim, an 81-year old female, discovered her wallet was removed from her purse in a similar fashion. Publix video surveillance captured the same couple that was seen earlier at the scene of the Winn-Dixie theft. The two were observed arriving at the store in a silver 4-door passenger car.

The female suspect was described as a black female between 30-40 years of age, about 5’2” tall and very thin. She was wearing a dress and a tight nylon cap on her head.

The male suspect was also black, between 25-35 years of age, between 6’-6’4” tall with an average build and well dressed.

Anyone with any information concerning the identity of these individuals is asked to contact Detective Dave Rosado at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 209-2161. You can also remain anonymous and possible be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of N.E. Florida at 1-(888) 277-TIPS (8477).