VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — In Virginia Beach, police are searching for two people who detectives say stole $33,000 in cash from a woman outside a Wells Fargo Bank.
Detectives said the pair followed the woman outside the bank and flattened her tire as a distraction before making off with the money the victim had just withdrawn from the teller. It happened on November 20 just outside the bank in the Providence Square Shopping Center, a busy place for shoppers.
Detectives said that as the victim left the bank with her money, a woman followed her. Meanwhile, police said surveillance video showed another man walk up to the victim’s car and squat down near the tire.
Jude Brenya of the Virginia Beach Police Department said: “It appears that the male suspect had come and deflated the tire.”
So by the time the victim got to her car with her money, she realized she had a flat. Police said the man then waved down the woman at the 7-Eleven gas station next door, offering to help her change her tire. Investigators said while the man distracted the victim, his accomplice reached into the victim’s car and stole the $33,000 out of her purse.
Brenya said police are now sending a warning to people to be aware of their surroundings.
“It looks like a Good Samaritan or somebody trying to help," Brenya said. "But we always advise people just be suspicious of what people’s intent are. Just be aware of your surroundings – going to and coming to the car, going into the bank, and even when you leave the bank and go home."
People who frequent the area say it’s sound advice.
“Oh, I always do. Because I listen to the news constantly and you have to be conscious and aware of your surroundings," Tim Mereno said. "It’s a very safe shopping center and I’m just extremely surprised. Especially there at Wells Fargo.”
Both suspects got away in a white SUV with possible Florida tags. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
If you know anything you can submit a tip by visiting crimesolvers.com or call 1-888-562-5887.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect the grand larceny incident happened on November 20, 2023. An earlier version of this story reported the incident as happening on a different date, per information provided by the Virginia Beach Police Department. A VBPD spokesperson informed media on Thursday, however, that there had been an error in the department's initial release.