Police are investigating after a woman's purse was stolen from a Marks and Spencer store in Staffordshire, and they believe the suspect may have struck again moments later.
The theft occurred at the Marks and Spencer branch on Stafford Street in Stone on Sunday, August 23, at approximately 11.15am. The victim had her purse taken directly from her handbag while she was shopping in the store.
Second theft suspected
Staffordshire Police have stated that they believe the same suspect may have taken another woman's purse from the same store at a similar time, although no further incidents have been formally reported.
PCSO Lisa Powell, of the Stafford local policing team, said: "We believe the suspect may have taken another purse from another woman in the store at a similar time, although no further incidents have been reported."
Police appeal for witnesses
Officers have issued an appeal for information, but have not released a description of the suspect. The police have urged anyone who was in the store at the time to check their belongings.
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "We are appealing for information after a purse was stolen from a shop in Stone. At approximately 11.15am on Sunday, a woman was shopping at Marks and Spencer on Stafford Street when her purse was taken out of her handbag."
How to report information
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Staffordshire Police by calling 101 or using the Live Chat service on their website. PCSO Powell added: "If you were in Marks and Spencer, Stone, at this time, please check you have all of your belongings. You can report theft by calling 101 or using Live Chat on our website."
