Atascadero police warn of “organized crime crew” targeting businesses
The Atascadero Police Department is warning business owners and office workers to be on the lookout for two people who are believed to be working together to steal credit cards from unattended purses and wallets.
The crimes have occurred throughout the Atascadero area periodically for the last seven months.
The “organized crime crew” targets small businesses, boutiques and offices that are open but unattended.
In the majority of cases, the staff were occupied assisting clients or conducting meetings while their purses and wallets were left unattended. The pair remove the credit cards from wallets and purses and flee before being caught.
The crew is comprised of a black male adult identified as John Thomas Reynolds of San Luis Obispo and an unidentified black female adult accomplice. Reynolds is currently wanted in San Luis Obispo County on related charges.
The woman uses the stolen credit cards to purchase high-dollar gift cards from chain stores such as Target and CVS. Reynolds and the female suspect’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
If you can identify the female suspect or if you have any information about the suspects’ whereabouts, you are asked to to contactAtascadero Police detective K. Netz at (805) 461-5051.
