Brownsburg PD look for couple stealing from Walmart shoppers
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (WISH) — The Brownsburg Police Department is looking for a couple accused teaming up to distract a woman in a grocery store to steal her purse out of her cart.
With the help of community members providing identifying information, Brownsburg police have identified the woman as Sarah Russell, 23, and Patrick Baker, 24.
“I think it’s kind of alarming,” said Jess Elger, who lives nearby. “It’s pretty easy to understand how it could happen.”
Brownsburg officers explained Russell approached a woman shopping in Walmart and engaged her in conversation. While the woman was distracted and turned away from her cart, Baker would then take a purse or wallet out of the cart. Police said Baker then used the stolen credit cards to make his own purchases.
“I haven’t been back to a Walmart since because it has scared me so much,” said Theresa Bell, who lives in Brownsburg.
Bell explained she’s on a fixed income and is very worried about having her credit and debit cards stolen.
“It just scared me because they’re so bold. If they can do that, no telling what else they can do,” she said. “I’m scared and I won’t go back until they’re caught.”
Elger agreed it is a very brazen crime, and once news spread in Brownsburg, the damage would be done.
“It’s our human nature to want to be friendly and kind to people but when you hear about something like that it sort of causes you take a pause,” he said.
Other residents like Art McGuire weren’t surprised to hear how bold the thieves had become but was distressed to hear it had happened in Brownsburg.
“It’s just sad to do that to a person. How do you do that to anybody? Steal from a person. Go get you a job,” he said.
The Brownsburg Police Department is working with the Hendricks County Prosecutor’s Office to issue a warrant out for the couples’ arrests. They could be charged with misdemeanor theft and conspiracy to commit fraud, a level 6 felony.
If you know their whereabouts you’re encouraged to call Brownsburg Police at 317-852-1109, extension 2147 or email Detective Stanford at dstanford@brownsburgpolice.org.
