PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police are asking the public to help them identify three suspects in a choreographed pickpocketing heist in the parking lot of a Costco in Northeast Portland.
Surveillance video captured the three men targeting a 93-year-old man in the parking lot. Portland police said soon after, the men used the credit cards from the stolen wallet to purchase hundreds of dollars in gift cards at a Fred Meyer a few miles away. Detectives said they believe the men have carried out similar crimes in the Seattle area.
The footage shows the three men lingering outside the Costco entrance on Thursday watching people as they exit. The three men then closely follow behind people pushing grocery carts to their vehicles, looking for victims. In the case of the 93-year-old man, the three men closely follow him in a triangle formation from behind. One of the men then reaches out their arm and grabs the man's wallet from his left rear pocket. The man feels his back pocket, appears to recognize his wallet is missing and looks around. The three men stand there next to him before walking away.
Anyone with information about this case, or anyone who thinks they may be a victim, is asked to contact Detective Jordan Zaitz at jordan.zaitz@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 24-911109.
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