|
Updated: 12:27 AM Oct 16, 2009
Pregnant woman says she was targeted at Target
She says she was looking for baby items for her upcoming arrival and walked away from her cart once, but in that short time a Richmond woman became a target at an area Target.
Posted: 11:58 PM Oct 15, 2009Reporter: Tamara Evans Email Address: tamara.evans@wkyt.com |
|
She says she was looking for baby items for her upcoming arrival and walked away from her cart once, but in that short time a Richmond woman became a target at an area Target.
"Basically my friend and I were at Target doing a baby registry", says Ashley Penn.
In four months Ashley Penn will be a mom, so she's been busy getting ready. Today she was shopping for her upcoming arrival at the Target at Hamburg Pavillion.
"We left the cart literally probably 36 inches, no more than three feet away from us. There was nobody around. It was the middle of the day and really slow", says Ashley Penn.
Penn got an unwelcome surprise.
"We turned around for an instant to look at an article of clothing and turned back around and kept pushing and by the time I walked out of the store I realized my wallet was gone", says Ashley Penn.
In less than an hour the woman who took Penn's wallet, caught on surveillance tape at Target, went on a shopping spree charging thousands at Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Best Buy. She also drained Penn's bank account.
"Over $4,000 on my credit care and overdrafted $700 on a bank card. We were actually in the store when she made the $600 purchase at Target", says Ashley Penn.
A day of baby shopping that should have been exciting for this mom-to-be who is now hoping police find the woman responsible.
Target officials tell Penn there is surveillance video of the woman that is very clear. It will now be turned over to police. Officials say the woman caught on tape is described as a black woman with short hair and glasses. She was wearing a white zip-up sweatshirt and it appeared she was alone when she committed the crime.
Latest Comments
The fact that the lady was pregnant has no bearing on this story at all. Why was it even mentioned, especially in the headline? Things like this happen every day, even in our state - whether you're pregnant or not. If I do take my purse inside a store, I make sure it's zipped up, I put it in the child seat and use the belt to buckle around the handle. It takes time to undo the belt and untangle it from the handle, but if I turn my back to look at something, I put my hand on my purse also. I have found it's much easier to just use a debit card and put it in my pocket, and not even take my purse inside though.`
No, it is not the store's fault it got stolen, but it is thier responsibility to chack for ID, a lot of stores do ask, they all ask if you are writing a check, what is the difference? Why is a card different? It is probably easier to steal. If someone steals your car and gets into an accident, it is not on you. You are responsible for keeping up with your belongings, but shouldn't have to pay for a thief's purchases. I sign my receipts with different names all the time on those little electronic pads at the cash register all the time, it always says "signature approved" it is rediculuous. At Lowes instead of asking me for ID, they ask me for the last four digits on the card, duh. If I had stolen the card, I can just look at it and give them the last four digits, they make it too easy.
Jack, the only problem with not signing the back of your card is that they can sign it however they want, then when they do sign for a purchase, it matches. Another problem is that not all merchants look or even care about the back. I have "SEE ID" in all caps in red Sharpie yet I still hardly ever get asked for I.D. I made it red to stand out. Some say that if there is a false purchase made with that on the back, the merchant, not you or the bank would be responsible. Although others say that it is an invalid card with no signature on the back. Either way, people cannot be naive and leave their purse in the shopping cart.
|
Classifieds
THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free. |
|
|
Half Off Deals
Save 50% from local merchants. |
|
| Desktop
Alert Download weather alerts to your computer desktop. |
|
| FirstAlert Defender Dual Polarity Radar |
|
|
Experts
Got a question? Ask our Health Experts. |
|
|
WKYT Archives
Looking for a video clip? |
|
![]() |
Everyday Heroes
Is someone you know a hero? |
|
Crime
Find out how Ray Larson is stopping crime. |
|
|
Crimestoppers
Help bring criminals to justice. |
|
|
Simple Energy Saving Tips
Answers to your questions about energy efficiency and saving money. |
|
| Ray the D.A. |


