Bag thief watched victim

POLICE believe a woman was being watched last Saturday before her handbag was stolen from the boot of her car at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre.
The woman returned to her Mitsubishi sedan about 2.45pm to unload her shopping and handbag into the boot.
Detectives said the woman then took her shopping trolley to a trolley bay and upon returning to her car discovered her boot open, and handbag gone.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Wilcox of Narre Warren CIU said the thief had broken into the car and then released the boot lever and stolen the bag.
A purse, mobile phone, glasses and cash were inside the bag. Det Sen Sgt Wilcox said the missing items were worth an estimated $600.
He warned shoppers that as Christmas drew closer people should be more vigilant and not leave any valuables in their cars, even in their car boots.
Det Sen Sgt Wilcox said police had last year received reports of Christmas presents being stolen from the boot of cars at local shopping centres and said people needed to be wary of being watched.
“People need to be vigilant. People won’t see the crooks but the crooks will see them,” he said.
Anyone with information regarding the handbag theft can call Narre Warren CIU on 9705 3111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.