Purse thefts on rise in Zionsville, Carmel - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Women have become targets for some clever thieves in Boone and Hamilton Counties. But police say it's a problem throughout Central Indiana.

They strike when you go to the gym, the park, drop your kids off at daycare, and leave a purse behind.

Thieves take your purse, disguise themselves to match your photo identification, and cash your checks.

Photos (right) provided by police show the result of what sometimes happens when you leave your purse in your car. The photos served as evidence after two people were arrested for stealing the purses and using ID to try to cash checks they'd taken - also credit cards.  Zionsville police chased them down when a bank teller became suspicious.
    
In Zionsville, it's also been a problem at a gym, where cars are left with purses inside them.  Also at the park, where some women take their purses with them but others, like Dana Behm, admit they don't.

"When I leave it there in the car, I try to cover it," Behm said. "We were here when a car was broken into. It left an impact on myself and my son, but sometimes you have to leave your purse in your car."

Police hope you at least put your purse where thieves can't see it.  They say, not only here in Zionsville, but Carmel and other areas have seen a rash of these kinds of crimes this summer.

Police say the thieves often work in teams, and go to great lengths to get your money. "They take the purse, give to the other person, put on wigs, write checks to the other person, go to the bank," said Zionsville Police Captain Doug Gauthier. "The bank teller looks at ID - it looks like the person - and cashes the check."
    
But the advice is to all women, take your valuables with you, or at least hide your purse in a trunk or where it can't be seen.