Facebook Leads Cumming Police To Alleged Purse Thief

A woman whose image was captured on video surveillance allegedly stealing a purse was recognized by a former coworker and Facebook friend.

A local woman called police Oct. 29 to report her purse had been stolen either inside or outside Walmart at 1500 Market Place Boulevard in Cumming. A loss prevention associate reviewed surveillance video of the incident, according to the Cumming Police Department incident report.

It showed the victim loading her purchases in her vehicle, pushing the shopping cart to a space in front of her parked car and leaving her purse in the cart outside Walmart.

The video also showed another vehicle pulling into the space the victim had left and its occupant getting the purse and placing it in her SUV. The Walmart loss prevention associate recognized the woman as a former coworker and Facebook friend, and alerted police to her identity.

An officer called Nov. 1 the alleged purse thief, who admitted to taking the purse.

"(She) said she had made a mistake, felt remorse for what she did, and wanted to give the purse back to the owner," the report says. "(She) stated she felt guilty about taking the purse and its contents, did not use the credit cards nor spend the cash, and just wanted to give the items back to the owner."

The owner declined to press charges since her purse and its contents were returned intact.

Among the purse's contents were $35 in cash, a debit and credit card, and cell phone, according to the report.


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