LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT)- Lexington Police are hoping you'll recognize the woman in some surveillance video they released to WKYT. In it, a woman is seen making purchases at local Walmart and Target stores. Investigators say she's stolen wallets or purses from at least 12 women since December 13, charging as much as 12-thousand dollars on stolen credit cards.

"It's the time of year we see a lot of thefts occur," Det. Mike Helsby of the Lexington Police Financial Crimes Unit explained.

Helsby says the woman has an accomplice distract shoppers while she grabs purses or wallets from the top of grocery carts. They say the suspect then takes the stolen cards to buy gift cards and electronics at local retailers, like the Walmart and Target stores in Hamburg.

"People don't pay enough attention to their purses while they are shopping," he said.

"We don't know anything about her. We don't even know if she's a 'her' to be honest. We've had victims state it was a dressed as a woman wearing a wig. Other victims say it was a female black."

Either way, police are hoping to catch the suspect and are asking buyers to beware.

"Especially right now if you are shopping for Christmas. We do see a rise in thefts. Keep your bags close."

Lexington Police say they are working to get surveillance of the accomplice.