FAIRFIELD, Ohio -- Fairfield police are on alert after multiple thefts with the same M.O. -- thieves are waiting for drivers to exit their cars to pump gas, then they steal purses, wallets and jewelry.
"It seems like a fairly desperate act," said Lt. Ken Gerold of Fairfield Police. "They're obviously taking a very big risk, the fact that they're doing it with a lot of people around, including the victim."
Two women's purses, IDs, jewelry and cash were stolen from the Thorton's gas station in Fairfield in the last few weeks, police said. The thieves waited until their backs were turned away from the car, and the crimes happened in broad daylight.
Police said that security footage caught the image of one man who was hanging around the gas pumps at the time leading up to the thefts.
Gerold said that theft has been up in Fairfield in general, which he said could be related to heroin use.
To prevent the same thing from happening to you, Gerold said drivers should keep their car doors locked, even at the gas pump, a tailgate or when running into a store.
Anyone with information on the suspect shown in the security footage is asked to called Fairfield police at 513-829-8201.
