Woman wanted for using credit cards stolen from vehicles

SUGAR LAND, TX One suspected thief was caught on camera. Investigators say the woman went on a shopping spree in Fort Bend County with stolen credit cards.

This is the time of year that thieves seem to be especially opportunistic. And they work fast, as is evident in surveillance video the Sugar Land Police Department released today.

The woman looks like a regular shopper, purchasing holiday gift cards. But she's not. Police say she's buying those gift cards with stolen credit cards.

"At the Sugar Land Target they purchased gift cards of $450 per gift card. So I believe there were four to five gift cards purchased," said Sgt. Mike Richards of the Sugar Land Police Department.

Sgt. Richards leads a task force that's investigating these latest thieves, who on Saturday drove to Memorial Park and broke into several vehicles.

"They stole purses, laptops and some other accessories out of the cars," said Sgt. Richards.

After buying all of those gift cards with those stolen credit cards, police say the woman and her accomplice weren't finished. They next came to Imperial Park where they broke into more vehicles.

Then they tried to use those cards at another Target store, but the stolen cards were declined.

At Imperial Park, we met Gretchen Granville and Rachael Moore - moms who say they are always cautious about what they leave in their cars.

"My husband is really good about reminding me because he's really paranoid about something like that happening. I try to just at least hide things," said Granville.

"I always make sure there's nothing in my car that can be seen from the window. If I have to take my purse in with me or whatever we have, if it has to go in the trunk; I always make sure that it's not out," said Moore.

Good habits given that people like this suspect are out there looking to sour your holiday season.

Sugar Land police are looking for help identifying that woman and if you think you know anything you're asked to call Ft. Bend Co. Crime Stoppers at 281-342-8477.

Sugar Land police say they will focus on areas identified as "hot spots" -- particularly shopping centers, parks and health clubs -- with a combination of enforcement, citizen and business owner partnerships and public awareness.

Items typically targeted during vehicle burglaries include purses, wallets, computer equipment and electronics such as iPods, GPS devices, cellular phones and radar detectors.