GASTONIA, N.C. — Police are asking the public to be on alert after three men are accused of working together to steal from distracted individuals.
Surveillance video shared by the Gastonia Police Department shows a woman shopping at the Publix on Hoffman Road. She can be seen turning to the right, when a man wearing a baseball hat, a purple shirt and a medical face mask can be seen taking her wallet out of the purse she had in her shopping cart.
The three men left before the woman realized what happened, police said.
Shortly after that, the men were seen at a Home Depot in the area. Surveillance video at the store shows a man in a blue hoodie seemingly distracting employees, Gastonia Police said, while another man buys gift cards at the self-checkout.
Police said the men bought gift cards in three transactions totaling $2,850.48.
"These crimes can happen anywhere, in any retail store," Gastonia Police said.
Police encourage people to keep their bags zipped, avoid leaving your belongings out of your sight, notice if people seem to be lingering around you, and keep the amount of cash in your wallet to a minimum.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.