A prolific purse-snatcher is behind bars thanks to an alert employee at River Market.
In August, police were notified about a number of stolen backpacks and purses taken from public areas around New Westminster. Most of the incidents happened in the middle of the day, police reported.
Investigators believe the thefts happened when people would put their bags down and either put it behind them or leave it unattended for a moment or two. When the victims weren’t looking, the suspect would swoop in and take the items without anyone noticing, according to a press release from the New Westminster Police Department.
Police also allege the suspect used the victims’ credit cards after taking the bags.
“It is always troubling when there a series of offences, especially when the offences are done in broad daylight and in public spaces,” said police spokesperson Sgt. Jeff Scott in the release.
The department banded together and investigators from patrol, the criminal intelligence unit, crime suppression team and the forensic identification section were assigned to the case.
Nearly three months later, on Oct. 3, officers arrested William Raymond Banks after he was spotted by an employee at River Market.
“Solving crime often includes the assistance of the public, so we want to thank the community for their help in solving this series of alleged offences,” Scott said.
Banks, 36, from Vancouver, is charged with nine counts of theft; six counts of fraud; two counts of breach of conditions; and one count of possession of a stolen credit card.
Banks is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 8.
