Shawntell Eppinett
Shawntell Eppinett/BCPD
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Joseph J. Pomares
Joseph J. Pomares/BCPD
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[UPDATE] Bossier City police have arrested two people in connection with last month's purse theft at the Airline Drive Wal-Mart store. An anonymous tip called in to Bossier Crime Stoppers led detectives to the Bossier Inn and Suites in the 700 block of Diamond Jacks Boulevard, where 31-year-old Shawntell Eppinett and her boyfriend, 42-year-old Joseph Pomares, were staying. The Baton Rouge natives were both booked with theft and unauthorized use of an access card. 

 

[ORIGINAL STORY]  Video has been released of a purse thief, and Bossier City police are hoping you can help identify her. The video shows a woman taking a purse out of a shopping cart while the owner had her back turned at the Airline Drive Wal-Mart Supercenter last month. Then, whe woman walks out attempting to conceal the stolen purse under what's believe to be her own purse.Later that same day, the suspect used a stolen credit card to make unauthorized purchases of more than $1,000 at several local businesses before the victim could cancel the account. One of those transactions was caught on security camera video.

Check out the video below, and call Bossier Crime Stoppers at 424-4100 if you can identify the person in it. You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website.

Bossier city police say this crime demonstrates how easy and quick it can be for criminals to steal and serves as a reminder to be particularly watchful of purses, wallets, cell phones and other personal belongings while shopping, especially during the busy upcoming holiday season.

Officers suggest carrying a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps or leaving it unattended in a shopping cart. Wallets should be inside a coat or front pants pocket.

We'll have more on holiday shopping safety tips coming soon on Newsradio 710 KEEL.

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