29 replies to this topic

[EAH]

I was at Whole Foods Roseville this morning ( I typically go 2x a week). As per my usual routine, I stopped first at the coffe kiosk, got my latte, and $100.00 cash for my grocery shopping and proceeded to make my way around the store. The only time I was away from my cart for more than 30 seconds was in the produce department. I always assumed ( arse/u/me) with all the produce clerks hanging around there it would be stupid to try to steal anything there, but I remember hearing a woman I walked by in produce being really upset about something and her daughter telling her to go to Customer Service and let them know. I didn't even think twice about it and went on my way. I wound up talking to a woman and her daughter at the olive bar and left my cart on the other side of the bar next to a Whole Foods worker that was stocking the olive bar. Walked back to the coffee kiosk to get another latte and discovered that my debit card, credit card, and $100 cash were missing. I tore my purse apart and in a panic retraced my steps around the store to see if I dropped it. I ran into the woman I was talking to at the olive bar and asked her if she had seen anyone around my cart while I was at the bar when her daughter mentioned that someone in produce was complaining that she had her wallet stolen. I went over to customer service and lodged a complaint. They said I was the third person this had happened to in the span of an hour. They sent the security guy over and I told him what happened. He confirmed that there was a rash of thefts over the last hour and although the security cameras weren't that great, that he would go through the video tape. He said it would take the better part of the day but he would call me if he found something. I told him that It seems to me if you were aware of a theft issue in produce you would swarm the place with security, but he said that was hard to do.
Anyway, I guess i will be a cautionary tale and warn you all to NEVER leave your purse unattended, even if it is to turn your back to your cart to pick out potatoes...........

[Steve Heard]

So sorry to hear that happened to you. It is a hard lesson and has happened to several people I've known over the years.

A friend of mine who used to work for a chain in the Bay Area told me it was common in his stores.

Theives know that women routinely put their purses in the carts, often open, for some reason. It is easy to walk by while the customer is reaching for an item or otherwise distracted and grab her wallet.

Some even work in teams where one creates a distraction, asks a question, drops something, etc., while the accomplice pilfers the wallet or even the whole purse.

Terrible.

[4thgenFolsomite]

What a drag! I'm sorry to hear about this. Losing the $100 is bad, but the hassle of the cards is worse. I can see Whole Foods' point. I can't imagine Raleys having security guards in the produce section. I remember shopping at Raleys once around the holidays and a manager came up to me and said, "please don't turn your back on your purse! It's too easy for people to steal." I'm guilty of being pretty trusting myself.

Thanks for spreading the word though! I hope everything turns out okay for you.

[doj_gal]

This is why I never bring my purse into a grocery store and rarely bring it when I do other types of shopping(clothing etc). I always take my id, cash or cards and stick them in my pockets along with my keys.

I cannot tell you how many customers loose items as well as thefts...My friend had a wanna be criminal try to take off with her purse eventhough it was buckled into the cart...the cart flipped over as he was trying to make his escape on a bike.

This really bothers me....I cannot stand thiefs...especially low life criminals that prey on others...

The store really should have been down there and they should have at least had all employees trying to figure out what was going on.

On a funny note...this jerk(man or woman) was like a kid in a candy store...well whole food store...with all the trusting shoppers!

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

I'm sorry that happened. I hope the store has the culprits on surveillance video.

Not only can the produce clerks not pay attention to every cart while they're working, but I'd imagine they can't remember which person goes with which cart -- so if you've walked away and someone else moves in to push the cart a bit and pretend to shop it would be easy to steal something. I'm diligent about taking my purse out of the cart if I have to walk away.

[EAH]

Yes, a hard lesson but a lesson learned. What was so odd was the theif DIDN"T take the purse, or even the wallet. They opened up the wallet, removed the cash, debit card, and credit cards which were all in different compartments of the wallet. and placed the wallet back in the purse..........within SECONDS!

[AMETHYST PRODUCTIVITY]

Oh EAH! So sorry to hear this. I'm so paranoid about my purse in stores and when my daughter was a baby, I would never turn my back on her for a second, I was so scared someone would snatch her.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Yes, a hard lesson but a lesson learned. What was so odd was the theif DIDN"T take the purse, or even the wallet. They opened up the wallet, removed the cash, debit card, and credit cards which were all in different compartments of the wallet. and placed the wallet back in the purse..........within SECONDS!

Most people won't notice that they cash and/or cards are missing until they get to the check stand, enabling the culprit sufficient time to steal and boogy. If the entire wallet was taken, you might notice it as you reach into your purse for your list or pen. It's pretty clever.

[EAH]

Oh EAH! So sorry to hear this. I'm so paranoid about my purse in stores and when my daughter was a baby, I would never turn my back on her for a second, I was so scared someone would snatch her.

Smart woman!

[camay2327]

Sorry for your loss.

My wife will never leaves her purse in a shopping cart. She always
has it over her shoulder.

[EAH]

Most people won't notice that they cash and/or cards are missing until they get to the check stand, enabling the culprit sufficient time to steal and boogy. If the entire wallet was taken, you might notice it as you reach into your purse for your list or pen. It's pretty clever.

Very clever indeed! I swear these people are gifted in the crime department. I would NEVER imagined having the cajones to even try something like this. Out there in front of everybody... had I turned around 2 seconds earlier.........
We really do need to be on our toes at all times. I have been waaay too trusting

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

I have been waaay too trusting

Have you not watched your fair share of X-Files? Trust no one!

[EAH]

Sorry for your loss.

My wife will never leaves her purse in a shopping cart. She always
has it over her shoulder.

Yup, hang onto her Cal, she is a smart woman too.....

[EAH]

Have you not watched your fair share of X-Files? Trust no one!

Too funny....Not only have I watched it, Gillian is a family friend (Don't see her much she lives in England now).!!!!!

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Too funny....Not only have I watched it, Gillian is a family friend (Don't see her much she lives in England now).!!!!!

Okay, that's my second bizarre coinky-dink of the day!