Police Say Robberies In Shaw's Supermarket Parking Lot Not Related

By: Michael C. Bailey
Published: 01/25/13

Falmouth Police Department is advising shoppers to be aware of their surroundings in the wake of two similar thefts that occurred within a week of one another.

On January 10 and January 16, elderly customers of Shaw’s Supermarket were approached by thieves in the parking lot. In the first incident, a woman approached an elderly man and asked for money. When the victim took out his wallet, the woman took it and ran.

The second incident took place last week when a man jumped out of his car and attempted to steal an elderly customer’s purse. The suspect fled when the victim screamed, and she was able to provide police with a description of the man and his car.

Lieutenant Brian L. Reid said the suspect in the first incident has been identified and charges will be filed against the woman, who is well-known to Falmouth police. The department last week issued a description of the suspect in the second incident and police are continuing to investigate.

Lt. Reid said the two incidents “are not at all related…they are similar in nature but they are not connected.”

He also wanted to assure the public there is nothing to indicate that these crimes are part of a trend, or that the second incident is a copycat crime of the first. However, he recommended that shoppers—especially the elderly, who, he said are “easier to target”—be aware of other people in public parking lots, and respond to any suspicious individuals by immediately returning to the store and reporting it to an employee.