Panera Pickpockets Caught On Camera In Munster: Cops

PLAINFIELD, IL —Plainfield police are asking for help identifying two suspected pickpockets wanted in connection with thefts both here in Plainfield and in Munster, Indiana. Local police are investigating two incidents at the Plainfield Panera, the first on Nov. 13 and the second on Nov. 27.

The suspects spotted on Nov. 13 are believed to be the same pickpockets involved in several incidents at a Munster Panera Bread, police said.

"We are in the process of getting the video from yesterday's theft," police said, explaining that surveillance images and photos of the suspects "(come) from the stores the bad guys go to with the victim's credit cards." The photo with a Nov. 13 date stamp showing a man walking alone out of what appears to be a Target store was taken in Plainfield, while the other photos were taken in Munster, police said.

Anyone with information on the suspects or the incidents is asked to call Plainfield Detective Carianne Siegel at 815-439-7653 or email csiegel@plainfieldpd.com.+

On Nov. 16, Plainfield police had a little fun warning residents about pickpockets operating in the area. "When you go to an eating spot (Panera), or to the grocery store, please don't leave your purse unattended or hanging on the back of a chair or in the grocery cart...even for a second," a Facebook post by the department read. "These ne'er do wells are good at what they do. They will take your wallet from your purse with you sitting there, or when you are checking out the different flavors of HaloTop. Before you know it, you will have bought thousands in gift cards or iPads or TVs or rare Pokemon cards that you never knew you wanted. But even worse, they sometimes will outright steal your identity!!"

Images via Plainfield Police Department