Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Images Show Suspected Thieves Who Made Off With Woman's Purse, Dead Son's Toys, in Murrieta

Police say that a couple were caught on camera at multiple stores in Temecula using a credit card stolen from the same purse which contained the toys.

Update: 3:30 p.m.:

Patch has obtained additional surveillance images of the suspects, which have been added to this post.

Police believe that the man and women were driving a white Dodge Stratus sedan, seen at the gas station.  The two also walked into that gas station, and inside store photos are here as well.

-----

Editor's Note
, April 4, 2014, 9:20 a.m.:   A previous version of this story posted 
April 3 at 10:35 p.m. indicated that the suspects were possibly driving a truck.  However, it's now believed that the camera footage was linked to the wrong gas pump.  We're working on getting any new possible photos of the vehicle.  

Murrieta Police have released surveillance images of a couple caught on camera allegedly using a stolen credit card that was taken this week in town— taken from the same purse which contained priceless items for one local woman.

As Patch first reported Wednesday, Ashley Norris' purse was taken from a locker at the Murrieta LA Fitness on Monday.  Inside were toys she carried with her at all times which belonged to her baby boy who died unexpectedly last year.

"I carry [Timothy's] toys everywhere with me, in a way it brings me comfort knowing I have something of his that I always have with me," she told Patch.

Norris says she believes the purse was nabbed around 11:45 a.m.  Shortly thereafter, her stolen card was used at a few nearby businesses, according to Murrieta police and Norris.

"Unknown suspects(s), driving the above pictured truck, used the victim's stolen credit card at the Shell gas station located at 26680 Ynez Rd, Temecula," a Murrieta Police bulletin states.

Then, the two headed over to the Disney Store and Foot Locker at Temecula's Promenade Mall, where they used the card again, according to police.

Fortunately, surveillance cameras at both the gas station and Foot Locker caught the suspects on tape, and police were able to pull the images you see attached to this article.  

The man is described as Hispanic, in his mid-40s, about 6 foot 3 inches tall, weighing about 250 pounds.  He had a thick mustache and goatee.

The woman is described as Hispanic, light skinned, in her mid-30s, about 5 food 4 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds.  She had long brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who may know who these people are is asked to contact Murrieta Police Det. Durrant at (951) 461‐6354.

"I couldn't care less about the purse and all the other contents, they are all replaceable, my sons toys are not," Norris told Patch when we first reported the theft. "The toys are the only things I really want back."



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.