On Friday, Nov. 26, 2020, West Division officers arrestedLisa Sanregret, 48, in the area of 149 Street and 95 Avenue. She has since been charged with use stolen credit/debit card (x9), theft under $5000 (x7), possess stolen credit card, fraud under $5000 (x3) and breach release order.
While a suspect has been arrested in relation to this series, officers would like to continue to remind citizens to remain aware of their possessions and their surroundings while shopping. Additionally, anyone who experiences purse theft is encouraged to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone.
Background
Since the beginning of September, police received 16 reports of purse thefts in west Edmonton, with a recent incident taking place at a retail store in the Mayfield area.
On Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, West Division officers responded to the report of a purse theft at a retail store in the area of Stony Plain Rd and 168 Street. It was reported to police that a female shopper had placed her purse inside of her shopping basket and shortly after realized it was gone. When the complainant contacted her financial institution to cancel her debit card, she reportedly learned the suspect had immediately used her card to make purchases at various stores nearby.
Similar instances were reported by shoppers at other stores in Edmonton’s west end, with majority of the thefts taking place at larger grocery and retail stores along Stony Plain Rd between 149 Street and 185 Street. In each instance, the suspect reportedly waited until the shopper was distracted and then removed the purse from the shopping cart or basket. The suspect then allegedly used the complainant’s cards or cash at nearby stores. In total, EPS West Division responded to 22 similar theft reports between Jan. 11 and Nov. 25, 2020, with more than $5,700 reported stolen from citizens.