Yesterday, the Franklin Police Department released information about three suspects wanted for stealing a woman’s wallet from her purse at the Cool Springs Panera on November 26. Within an hour of the theft, the trio used the victim’s stolen credit cards to purchase more than $6,000 in merchandise at the CoolSprings Galleria.

In addition to yesterday’s news release, Franklin Police Detectives published a police bulletin to a nationwide law enforcement database. A New York City Police Officer who saw that bulletin recognized two of the suspects inside of a New York bank. The NYPD Officer contacted Franklin Police to verify charges, and arrested them. All three suspects are believed to be part of a traveling criminal enterprise that perpetrates similar crimes across the country. 

One female suspect remains at large. A Crime Stoppers reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to her identity and arrest.

Call Crime Stoppers: (615) 794-4000,
or click to submit an anonymous eTip.

With the Christmas shopping season upon us, these types of crimes will increase. Ladies: you can avoid becoming a victim by never leaving your purse unattended – not even for a moment. Thieves, like this, look for quick opportunities where purses are briefly left behind. Crooks often strike when you go to refill your drink, or when you take your eyes off of your purse in a shopping cart to reach for something on a store shelf.

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