Suspects sought for stealing wallets at Boardman restaurants

A warning from Boardman police after numerous wallets have been stolen from women's purses while they're shopping at area stores or dining at local restaurants.

So what are the thieves method of operation, and how could you help detectives catch them?

The quick-acting thieves, operating in teams, have stolen at least four wallets from women's purses at various Boardman Township stores and restaurants over the last three months.

Detective Ben Switka, Boardman Police Department, said, "In one instance at the restaurant, a lady had left her purse on the back of the chair, and she went to the restroom.  She comes back and discovers her wallet is missing, and then credit cards are being used at a couple of other retail stores within minutes of the theft."

Investigators are hoping someone can identify the men suspected of stealing women's wallets.

Township police are circulating surveillance photos of five men wanted for questioning about wallets reported stolen from BJ's Restaurant at the Southern Park Mall and the Panera Bread just down the road on Market Street.

Boardman police say on July 5th a woman reported that her wallet; containing a checkbook, driver's license, and credit cards, was taken as she was at BJ's Restaurant.

As officers were on their way to the restaurant, police got a call from the Boardman Best Buy that two men already used one of the woman's credit cards to purchase six Apple Mac book computers.

Police say the surveillance video showed one man lift the wallet from the woman's purse while another man acted as a lookout.

Investigators say someone tried to make a $992 purchase, which was declined, at the Target store in Niles. However, purchases of $427and $392 at the store were successful.

Surveillance images from the restaurant and the stores show three men who police say were involved in the thefts and credit card use.

Detectives are also looking for two men they believe stole a woman's wallet from the Market Street Panera Bread on August 9.

A 61-year-old woman told police that someone took her wallet containing her health insurance card and a debit card.

Less than three hours after she discovered the theft, police learned that two men charged more than $3,000 worth of goods at Best Buy, Home Depot, as well as Bed, Bath, and Beyond in Boardman.

Police are circulating pictures of the suspects.

If you have information about the suspects or the crimes, contact Boardman Police Department at 330-726-4144.