Wallet Thefts On The Rise In Rohnert Park, Nearby Cities: DPS

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Police in Rohnert Park and neighboring cities are experiencing an increase in wallet thefts, prompting some safety reminders Wednesday from the Rohnert Park Department.

Pickpockets often work in teams so community members should be aware of their surroundings, police said.

"The suspects will ask questions as a distraction to turn your attention away from your purse," police said. "Once distracted, your wallet is stolen. The suspects will be gone by the time you realize your wallet is missing."

• RELATED: Pickpocketing On The Rise In Petaluma, Police Warn

The Rohnert Park DPS offered some tips to avoid becoming a victim:

• Don’t leave your purse in your cart.
• Don’t have a note in your wallet with your ATM code.
• Leave social security cards at home or in a secure location, not inside your wallet.
• Travel light, if a theft happens you want to have minimal cash and credit cards in your wallet.

The best defense in wallet theft is to minimize the opportunity, police said, so if carrying a purse, one should keep it with them at all times and stay aware of their surroundings.