Police seek to ID woman in connection with credit card thefts

Police shared multiple surveillance images of a woman Tuesday whom investigators want to identify in connection with area purse thefts and fraudulent credit card purchases.

Madison police said an 85-year-old Madison woman had her wallet lifted from her purse in July while she shopped at Walgreens, 8302 Old Sauk Road. Moments later, one of the stolen credit cards was used to make purchases of more than $800 at an area department store.

Police said the incident may be linked to several similar thefts have occurred in the greater Madison area over the past two months. In some thefts, wallets were removed from purses hung over the chairs of unsuspecting owners as they sat at coffee shops or restaurants.

Police said the thief frequently uses the stolen cards to buy gift cards at large box stores. (Story continues under photo below.)

Police shared a number of surveillance photos depicting a woman the MPD would like to identify. According to a news release, she changes her appearance, wearing different styles, sometimes glasses and often carrying different purses.

Anyone with information on the woman in the surveillance photos is asked to contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 266-6014.