Thefts lead cops to warn women

The thief would drive by a shopping cart in the parking lot and grab a purse.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Police are urging women to keep their purses in hand during holiday shopping after arresting a Warren man who they say was involved in several drive-by purse snatchings.
Detective Jeffrey Hoolihan said Tuesday that the city began to experience a rash of purse snatchings beginning Aug. 17.
They included two thefts outside Giant Eagle in the Elm Road Plaza and two at Giant Eagle on Mahoning Avenue.
On Nov. 17, police arrested James Davis, 22, of Salt Springs Road, Warren, in the plaza and charged him with two counts of felony theft.
Hoolihan said Davis is on parole for similar theft offenses. His alleged involvement in the four thefts will be presented directly to the Trumbull County grand jury.
He said Davis would watch for women who had their purses atop a shopping buggy, drive up, grab the purse and speed away.
Hoolihan said that Davis had snatched two purses at the Elm Road grocery store. Store employees had gotten a description of the car involved in them.
The employees called police when they later saw the same car in the parking lot.
"He was looking for a third target," Hoolihan said, noting the identification of an earlier victim was found in the car he was driving.
Anti-theft tips
Hoolihan said because of the holiday season when women are out shopping more than usual and carrying more money, they are being targeted.
Hoolihan suggests that women be alert to their surroundings by looking for anyone who looks suspicious.
He urged that women keep their purses in hand while getting out of the car, walking to and from a store and while getting back into the car.
He said women shouldn't place the purse in a shopping cart because it's only a temptation to thieves.
"They're out there. Just don't become a victim," Hoolihan said.
yovich@vindy.com