(From original poster) It happened to me this weekend at BAR, and I was told by staff there that the exact same thing happened the night before. Not sure if that signals a trend, but wanted to get word out to protect others, and hopefully catch these people. My credit cards were used at stores/bars in New Haven. This incident has been reported to the NH police and all the credit card companies. Based upon what was bought, how soon it was bought, testimony of merchants and pure hindsight (female napkin grabber creating diversion), I am 99% sure the thieves are women and are working as a team.

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this same thing happened tonight at prime 16, and when cops arrived they said that bespoke was hit also, and the owl shop the night before.

be EXTRA careful with your belongings, everyone!

i don't suppose any further detail could be offered with regard to the description of these women?

Dont all these businesses have cameras?
Can we have some photos posted here from Prime 16?

Can't be 100% on ID, but the person who I strongly believe created the diversion resulting in the theft of my bag on Saturday 5/1 at BAR was caucasian, tanned, probably 21-35, long straight black hair, probably around 5'7"-5'9", though she may have been wearing heels. One or both bought a large amount of merchandise with one of my credit cards at Bottega Giuliana at around 7pm, which was closing time there. Given the sheer number of these incidents in the past few weeks, it may well be a larger group of women doing this, working in pairs and splitting the proceeds. I have also heard they have hit Anna Liffey's and Christopher Martin's in the past week as well.

My purse was stolen from Black Bear in March, another woman's purse was stolen the same night, never recovered anything. It's extremely inconvenient to have to replace keys, id's, credit cards not to mention that loss of your peace of mind.
The Black Bear manager was very sympathetic, reviewed security tapes, but the thief/thieves must have been very sneaky, the tapes showed nothing.

Thank you for posting all this great info.

Have the NHPD begun any plainclothes/undercover action in response?

Spoke w/ NHPD yesterday...confirmed the MO of the group (one woman creating diversion, so other woman can steal bags), and that my description of the accomplice fit closely with the others. They are monitoring restaurant/shop security cameras to see if they can catch them in action...

This happened to my friend at Barcelona last week. She found out her credit cards were used at Walgreens to purchase Visa gift cards and that Walgreen's had video surveilence of the woman. Police refused to view the tape and barely responded at all!

We found an emote purse with penny farthings on it at chapel and state. Maybe it was one of the victims?

Thank you for posting this and bringing it to my attention. I'll pass on the information.
It'd be nice if the local news would mention this so citizens could be vigilant in protecting themselves and catching these people.

I passed the story to NBC 30 and news channel 3 to see if they had interest in the piece

Thanks, Doug! The more publicity, the better. I was angry this happened to me, but I am even angrier knowing that so many others have been robbed by these people. It not only affects us as victims, but it also hurts the businesses in New Haven. These people need to be caught. I'm glad I posted this, and am happy to help in any other way I can.

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Hello - is anyone available to talk to Channel 3 this morning. We are doing a public awareness story to get the word out. Please all 203-824-3550.

I don't understand why the police refused to view the Walgreens video. Any followup on this?

I had my purse stolen from black bear almost 2 weeks ago...haven't heard anything yet :(

has anyone who had their bag stolen heard anything from the police?

I heard from the NHPD that at least one suspect was apprehended...that's all the detail I have now.

at least someone heard something from them!! I've tried contacting them but cannot get my calls returned!!

They were chased out of Partners tonight. I got a pic.

Suspects are believed to have been apprehended.