Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying an alleged pickpocket connected to over a dozen cellphone thefts around San Diego over a three-hour period last month, investigators said Thursday.
Officers responded to a call in mid-October from a victim who said they had tracked her phone and found it with an unknown man, San Diego police Detective Sgt. Brian French said in a news release. The man fled before investigators arrived.
At the scene , officers found 13 cell phones that had been stolen within three hours from victims at various Trader Joe’s stores in the city, French said.
“Many victims in these cases had their phone in their pockets, purses and bags slung on their bodies when the theft occurred,” French said.
Investigators said all but one of the stolen phones has been returned to its owner so far. The alleged pickpocket was captured on video surveillance attempting to buy items at a Best Buy with one of the stolen cellphones.
He was described as in his 30’s, between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a normal build and short dark hair. At the time of the thefts, he was wearing a white sweater, black pants, white athletic shoes and driving a black Mercedes-Benz, police said.
Investigators provided a photo of the man to the public and asked anyone with information about him to call the department’s eastern division office at 858-495-7900.
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