McComb police are asking for the public’s help in finding an identity theft suspect who walked into an elementary school last week and stole a teacher’s purse.
Officers responded to a report of identity theft and credit card fraud on Nov. 12 at a local elementary school.
Detective Robert Holmes said a woman walked into the school around noon while the teachers were in a staff meeting.
He said the woman then went into a classroom and took the teacher’s purse.
Holmes said about 20 minutes later, the thief then went to Walmart and used the victim’s credit cards to purchase $1,800 in prepaid debit cards.
The woman then attempted to make Internet transactions at JC Penney and Macy’s with the credit cards, but the victim had already canceled her cards by that time, Holmes said.
Surveillance cameras at Walmart captured photos of the woman whom officers said committed the crimes, as well as the vehicle she was driving, which appeared to be a black Dodge Stratus.
Officers could only describe the suspect as a black female who appeared to be wearing a wig.
Holmes said he is trying to contact JC Penny and Macy’s to determine if either company can identify the IP address of the computer used to attempt the purchases.
Holmes described the woman’s actions as “bold” and said the safety of the school children was his most concern since the woman was easily able to walk into the school without being seen or questioned.
He said school officials are taking precautionary methods with their faculty to assure similar incidents don’t happen in the future.
“They’re trying to make arrangements to make sure the kids are safe,” he said.
Police are withholding the names of the school and the victim for security reasons.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the McComb Police Department at 684-3023 or 684-3213.
