Police Search for Thief Who Stole 82-Year-Old Woman's Purse as She Shopped at Burbank Market

The incident was reported about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday inside the Ralphs at 2600 West Victory Boulevard. The victim had placed her purse on the floor board of the scooter.

The victim reached up to grab an item from the store shelf, when another woman snatched the victim's purse from the scooter and left the store, according to Burbank police.

"She was grocery shopping, minding her own business and she is trusting her environment, and unfortunately, there are people out there who capitalize on that," Sgt. Derek Green of the Burbank Police Department said of the victim.

The thief was seen leaving the area in an older 4-door white sedan with chrome rims. The vehicle is possibly an older model Lexus GS, police said.

The purse was found dumped near Buena Vista and Vanowen streets and credit cards, identification and money were missing. An investigation found that the victim's credit cards were used to make two large purchases at Target and Lowe's stores, possibly for an amount around $2,500, officials said.

The woman who stole the purse was described as being black, between 20 and 30 years old, about 5 feet 5 inches tall to 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs between 110 and 130 pounds.

She was wearing a black shirt, ripped blue jeans with black leggings underneath and black shoes, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident can call Burbank Police Department investigations division, at 818-238-3210.