Facebook post leads to arrest of suspected purse snatcher in Ventura
Ventura Police Department arrested a man who they believe is responsible for multiple purse thefts throughout Ventura County.
Terrence Bauer, 50, was arrested Saturday morning after multiple people identified him in a photo posted by Ventura police on Facebook.
In January Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit Detectives began investigating several purse thefts that had occurred at grocery stores in the county. Police say Bauer had targeted elderly victims who were distracted and stolen their purses from their grocery carts.
Police allege that Bauer then used the victim’s credit cards to make unauthorized purchases from businesses in Ventura and Oxnard.
Detectives obtained video surveillance footage of the suspect using the stolen credit cards.
Photos of the suspect were posted on the Ventura Police Department’s Facebook page asking for the public’s help in identifying him.
Detectives received numerous responses to the social media posts identifying the suspect as Bauer.
Officers worked to locate Bauer, who had no permanent address. Saturday morning Bauer was located at a motel on the 300 block of East Thompson Boulevard.
He was arrested and taken into custody without incident.
Bauer was interviewed and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail on suspicion of two counts of commercial burglary, two counts of identity theft and one count of felony elder abuse.
The Ventura Police Department would like to remind citizens to keep a watchful eye on their belongings while shopping. Be aware of individuals who may attempt to distract you and report any suspicious persons immediately.
