Thief targets valley church thrift shops

Surveillance video captured Saturday shows a thief stealing a wallet out of an unlocked locker from the Southwest Community Church Thrift Shop in Indio. Minutes before the theft occurred, the unidentified man can be seen on surveillance footage walking into the store with a child in his arms.

“I think it’s always a shame when that happens in the workplace where you think you’re secure,” said Ronny Carr of Rancho Mirage. “You can leave your belongings and they should be there when you go back to get them.”

But, Carr knows firsthand that’s not always the case.

“Working as a contractor I’ve had situations where not necessarily my personal equipment but some of my materials I was taking in were not there the next day when I went back,” he added.

Deputy Armando Munoz of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has some tips to make sure your belongings stay safe while you work.

“Make sure if you’re going to place any personal belongings in a locker, make sure there’s video surveillance if that employee or place of work has any video surveillance,” said Munoz. “Also put your belongings in a drawer or cabinet where you can lock them.”

If those options aren’t available to you, Munoz says, “leave them in a secure place in your car where it’s not visible.”

If you recognize the man in the video or have any information about this case call Valley Crimestoppers at 760 341-STOP.