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Two similar crimes, one week apart. Did the same women commit both?

Eight days after after two women stole a wallet from an elderly woman shopping for groceries in St. Petersburg, a similar incident occurred in Tampa.
Little more than a week after two women robbed an elderly woman shopping for groceries in St. Petersburg and then used the stolen credit cards to purchase electronics and gift cards, a similar incident occurred in Tampa.
Little more than a week after two women robbed an elderly woman shopping for groceries in St. Petersburg and then used the stolen credit cards to purchase electronics and gift cards, a similar incident occurred in Tampa. [ Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office; St. Petersburg Police Department ]
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Published Dec. 3, 2019|Updated Dec. 4, 2019

Little more than a week after two women robbed an elderly woman shopping for groceries in St. Petersburg and used the stolen credit cards to purchase electronics and gift cards, authorities say a similar incident took place in Tampa.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detectives are searching for two women they say worked together to steal a victim’s wallet at the Publix at 13178 N Dale Mabry Highway late last month.

The women tried unsuccessfully to use the credit cards at a Best Buy at 126775 Citrus Plaza Drive and a Target at 6295 W Waters Ave.

The Sheriff’s Office is aware of the first incident but “not ready to say they’re related at this point,” said agency spokeswoman Merissa Lynn.

St. Petersburg police spokeswoman Sandra Bentil said her agency’s investigators believe it is “premature” to connect the cases “because we haven’t identified the suspects yet.”

In the Hillsborough incident, deputies said a woman approached a Publix shopper just after 2 p.m. on Nov. 23 and started asking questions. While the shopper was distracted, deputies said another woman reached into the victim’s shopping cart and took the wallet from inside her purse.

The Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video from the Publix incident and asks anyone who recognizes the suspects to call (813) 247-8200 or call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477.

Meanwhile, St. Petersburg police are searching for two women they say robbed a 75-year-old woman eight days earlier on Nov. 15 as she shopped for groceries.

Within half an hour, the women went to another store and purchased $5,000 in electronics and gift cards. The women tried to make a purchase at yet another store, officers said, but the victim’s cards were declined.

The agency also released surveillance photos of the women, as well as the dark gray SUV they drove in.

St. Petersburg police ask anyone with information about either of the women to call (727) 893-7780.

St. Petersburg police are searching for two women who they say robbed a 75-year-old woman earlier this month, then tried used her stolen credit cards to buy electronics and gift cards.
St. Petersburg police are searching for two women who they say robbed a 75-year-old woman earlier this month, then tried used her stolen credit cards to buy electronics and gift cards. [ St. Petersburg Police Department ]
St. Petersburg police are searching for two women who they say robbed a 75-year-old woman as she shopped for groceries, then used her stolen credit cards to buy electronics and gift cards.
St. Petersburg police are searching for two women who they say robbed a 75-year-old woman as she shopped for groceries, then used her stolen credit cards to buy electronics and gift cards. [ St. Petersburg Police Department ]
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St. Petersburg police are searching for two women who they say robbed a 75-year-old woman as she shopped for groceries, then used her stolen credit cards to buy electronics and gift cards.
St. Petersburg police are searching for two women who they say robbed a 75-year-old woman as she shopped for groceries, then used her stolen credit cards to buy electronics and gift cards. [ St. Petersburg Police Department ]
St. Petersburg police are searching for two women who they say robbed a 75-year-old woman as she shopped for groceries, then used her stolen credit cards to buy electronics and gift cards.
St. Petersburg police are searching for two women who they say robbed a 75-year-old woman as she shopped for groceries, then used her stolen credit cards to buy electronics and gift cards. [ St. Petersburg Police Department ]
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