WALLETS, CHECKS STOLEN FROM PURSES.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

STEVENSON RANCH - Santa Clarita Valley shoppers are being advised to guard their personal belongings after a middle-aged team of sneak thieves stole two women's wallets, checkbooks and credit cards at a local supermarket.

A man distracted the shoppers by asking them questions about grocery products while his woman partner surreptitiously lifted wallets and checkbooks from the victims' purses, deputies said.

``In both cases, the female victims were pushing shopping carts and had each placed their purse in the child-seat section of the cart,'' said Sgt. Howard Fairchild in a written statement. ``When they got to the check stand with their groceries, they realized that their wallets, checkbooks and credit cards were stolen from their purses.''

A 78-year-old woman reported the theft of her wallet, checkbook and credit cards at 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Vons market in Stevenson Ranch. A 48-year-old woman had the same items taken at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the same store.

During both instances, the women were approached by a male shopper, officials said. He asked one woman, ``Is this syrup low-calorie?'' and the other: ``Do you know where to find turmeric?,'' a spice.

The women helped the man, then continued with their shopping. It wasn't until they went to the check stand that they realized items from their purses were missing.

``It is believed that the male suspect distracted the victims while the female suspect removed the property from the purses,'' Fairchild said.

Credit cards stolen Saturday were used to purchase $1,200 in merchandise at the Stevenson Ranch Toys ``R'' Us and Circuit City.

The male suspect was described as a Latino man; 40 to 50 years old; 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall; of medium build and with dark hair combed neatly to the side. He was dressed plainly and spoke in broken English.

The female suspect was described as Latino, 40 to 50 years old, 5 feet to 5 feet 3 inches tall, of medium build, with brown shoulder-length hair and gold dental work.

``Shoppers should keep their property in constant sight and control, especially when encountering similar circumstances,'' Fairchild said. ``Get a good look at the person initiating the `distraction,' then advise store management.''

Anyone with information about the thefts should contact the Santa Clarita sheriff's station at [phone].