South San Francisco police announced a woman accused of being a prolific wallet thief who targeted elderly women was arrested after surveillance photos of her circulated in the media.
Renetha Thomas, a 42-year-old San Jose woman, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 9, at her home after a monthslong investigation that revealed she was targeting victims in several San Mateo County cities, according to police. Police released surveillance photos Wednesday of the woman they allege committed elder abuse.
Thomas’ crime spree is believed to have begun in August 2016. She would allegedly contact elderly victims in grocery stores and distract them from their purses located in shopping carts. She would then steal their wallets and later use their credit cards at department and convenience stores, according to police.
Police said Thomas is responsible for at least 15 similar crimes in San Mateo County, but that number is expected to grow once other agencies get involved and review unsolved thefts or credit card frauds. Thomas was booked into jail on multiple counts including elder abuse, burglary, credit card fraud and identity theft, according to police.
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