Suspects sought in area thefts

SANDPOINT — Investigators in three jurisdictions are seeking information on three people accused of stealing wallets from the offices of two gas stations and a stationary store, as well as $150 in cash from one business.

Credit and debit cards from the wallets then were used to make purchases at other gas stations, the state liquor store, a grocery store, and a sporting goods retailer.

The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office released a photo Thursday afternoon depicting one of the suspects in the thefts.

Investigators say that the woman depicted in the photograph is white, between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighs roughly 300 pounds. She has dark hair and may be in her 20s or 30s.

Another woman, described as white with a medium build and shoulder-length blond hair, may act as a look out for the dark-haired woman, said sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Gary Johnston.

A third suspect, a black male with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes and glasses attempted to use a gift certificate purchased with one of the stolen credit cards, Johnston said.

The two women may have been using a dark-colored Isuzu Trooper.

Sheriff’s investigators ask anyone who has information about the thefts to call 263-8417, extension 3058.

In at least two of the incidents, the dark-haired woman walked into unlocked areas where employees keep their personal items, and wallets went missing, Johnston said.

At the Schweitzer Conoco in Ponderay, the woman is accused of stealing $150 from the gas station office.

“It looks like a  crime of opportunity,” Johnston said.

Besides taking advantage of unlocked or open doors, the thief or thieves are working fast. At Sharon’s Hallmark in Sandpoint, Johnston said theft occurred at 4:30 p.m. on July 22, The illegal use of the credit cards began at 5 p.m. and continued for a few hours, the detective sergeant said.

The other business where employees affected by the thefts was the Sagle Conoco station. As of Thursday, the wallets and cards had not been recovered, Johnston said.

The purchases were made at Safeway and the state liquor store, as well as a gift certificate the Big 5 Sporting Goods in Sandpoint. The man was unsuccessful in his attempt to use the gift certificate to purchase items at the Big 5 in Spokane, Johnston said.

Both the Sandpoint and Ponderay Police departments are investigating and other agencies in the region have been alerted to the incidents.