Police are trying to track down some brazen thieves following a string of handbag burglaries at an East Victoria Park shopping center on Saturday.
Three women were targeted by the thieves throughout the afternoon, who snatched their handbags and purses while their backs were turned.
A woman in her 80s had her handbag stolen while she was unloading her shopping at about 2.00pm.
She was parked in a disability bay at the northern end of the shopping center on Albany Highway and placed her bag in the boot.
Two women approached the vehicle and stole the handbag.
Almost three hours later, a woman in her 30s realized her purse was missing after putting her shopping in the car at the same center. She initially went home, but returned to check whether it had been left in a trolley.
The purse was taken and the woman’s debit card had been used twice at a nearby bottle shop.
In another incident earlier in the day, a 45-year-old woman left her handbag in a trolley while she was browsing nearby.
When she turned back she saw a woman holding her purse.
Upon being spotted, the thief dropped the purse and fled the scene into a silver Holdon Commodore sedan.
It is believed several shoppers witnessed the attempted burglary and may have taken videos or photos of the offender.
Police have urged anyone with information about the three incidents to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
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