Crime & Safety
Police Warn Restaurant Patrons
The advisory for restaurant and grocery store patrons follows a series of similar crimes in recent months at several different locations.
Tredyffrin Police are warning restaurant and bar patrons to keep a close eye on purses and jackets left hanging on the back of chairs. The advisory follows a string of thefts from pockets and pocketbooks in recent months.
The latest incident was reported the day after Christmas when police say a woman discovered someone had picked her pocketbook as it hung off the back of a chair at Panera Bread in the Gateway Shopping Center.
According to Tredyffrin Police the victim reported a wallet was stolen from a purse that was hanging on the back of the chair. The wallet contained credit cards, identification and U.S. currency. The case is under investigation. The incident happened around 12:45 p.m., in the middle of the busy lunch hour.
Following the latest report police have issued the following advisory:
"Police urge patrons not to hang purses on their chairs, as there have been other similar incidents occurring in the area. If possible, keep bags on your lap. Also, while shopping, do not keep purses in the shopping cart. Thieves use methods of distraction to steal wallets. When possible, keep bags zippered or snapped. If a purse has a top flap, keep the opening securely against you with the wallet at the bottom of the purse. "
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