Everett police say thieves stealing purses from cars

Everett police are investigating a recent rash of purse thefts.

Investigators believe that at least six people are responsible for the thefts. One suspect, a 21-year-old from Lake Stevens, has been arrested, said police spokesman Robert Goetz.

The purse thieves have been staking out women in large parking lots, said Goetz said. When the women leave their purses in their cars while returning their shopping carts to the store, thieves reach into the unlocked cars and take the purses.

Within minutes, the purse thieves use stolen credit cards, Goetz said.

In one incident on May 31, a woman reached into a car parked outside an Everett Costco store, Goetz said. Within 20 minutes the 21-year-old Lake Stevens suspect tried to use the woman's credit card at a nearby Target store. He was arrested, police are still looking for the woman who stole the purse, Goetz said.

Anyone with information about the thefts should call the Everett Police Department tip line, 425-257- 8450.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com