Heather Bell
CHRISTIANSBURG – Police are seeking three suspects in a series of credit card thefts. “The Christiansburg Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying three individuals believed to be involved in multiple incidents of credit card theft and fraud in both Christiansburg and Roanoke,” states Melissa Demmitt, Public Relations Director for the Town of Christiansburg.
The suspects are believed to be two men and one woman. According to Demmitt, police believe the subjects “are targeting victims in busy stores and restaurants, taking advantage of the distractions created by the crowds to remove victims’ wallets from their purses.”
“They then take credit and debit cards from the wallets and replace the wallets in the purses so the victims often do not realize what has happened until they are notified of fraudulent charges well after the incident,” Demmitt continued. “The suspects have been using the stolen cards to purchase merchandise and gift cards.”
The incidents of credit card theft in Christiansburg have occurred in the Spradlin Farm Shopping Center and New River Valley Mall areas.
“As a reminder, please remember to keep a close watch on your personal belongings when in public places,” Demmitt stated. “You should avoid hanging your purse on the back of chairs or laying it in your shopping cart as items can be removed in a matter of seconds.”
Anyone with information about the identity of these individuals is asked to contact Detective Gunter of the Christiansburg Police Department at 540-382-3131, ext. 318.
