Thieves steal purses while drivers are at gas pumps

ROCK HILL, S.C.,None — Police in Rock Hill are investigating an unusual theft.

Two women have reported that their purses were stolen right out of their cars, while they were at the gas pump with their backs turned.

"Really? I can't believe that," said Angela Blumer, who works in the Rock Hill area. "I have my work laptop there on the seat of my car, and my purse too. I leave it out and I don't even think about it."

The victim Tuesday afternoon was at the Hess station on Anderson Road. She turned around after filling up and noticed her purse was missing from the console where she'd just placed it.

She didn't want to go on camera, but told Channel 9 she was very angry about it, especially because the thief used her stolen credit card three times in Lancaster within hours of the theft.  She said she'll lock her doors from now on, even at the gas pump.

Another woman reported a similar theft at the Marathon station at Manchester Village two months ago.  She turned around from the pump in time to see a van pulling away, and a man holding her purse.

Kayla Hochstetler said she always keeps her doors unlocked at the gas pump, and can't imagine locking them.

"I'm supposed to lock the door when I'm standing right next to the car?  That's crazy!" she said.

Rock Hill police said the most common victims of car break-ins are people who leave valuables out in plain sight when they leave their cars.

However, these victims aren't leaving, and they're targeted just the same.

Police said there is no surveillance video of the most recent incident.

Blumer said she can only believe that people are simply getting more desperate.

"It's a sign of the times we live in, I guess," she said.

WSOC