Burglary, Purse Theft Suspect Targeting The Elderly Arrested In Georgia

September 23, 2012

An alleged purse thief that targeted elderly females, maybe even praying her way into a Molino home,  is behind bars in Georgia.

Rebecca Jean Smith, 44, is being held in Walton County, Georgia, awaiting extradition on warrants from Santa Rosa County. She is also expected to face charges from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department.

Smith was identified after surveillance photos of her were published by NorthEscambia and other media. Three different individuals contacted the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and identified her. A truck in the surveillance photo was also identified as the same truck Smith had been driving for the last several months.

At least four times in August, Smith either stole an elderly female purse when the victim was outside working, or has stopped at an elderly female’s residence, stating that her “puppy is lost”, asking for a drink of water, and engaging in conversation before grabbing and running with a purse. She then immediately used the credit cards inside the purse at a local convenience store or retail business, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.

The Santa Rosa County victims were 43, 77, 78 and 91 years old. In Santa Rosa County, she will face four felony counts of illegal use of credit cards to obtain over $300, five counts of felony larceny grand theft, two counts felony burglary of a dwelling, one count felony larceny over $300 from a person over 65, two counts of misdemeanor petit theft and two violation of probation charges.

Escambia County: Molino And Cantonment

Authorities said Smith may also be their suspect in similar crimes in Escambia County.

A resident of Ridgecrest Lane told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she invited a lady into her home to pray with her because she was under the impression that the stranger was from a local church.  The Sheriff’s Office said the woman’s purse was stolen, and her Navy Federal card used to make purchases at two Cantonment businesses. Few other details have been officially released as the Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation.

But family members told NorthEscambia.com that the 92-year old woman was approached at her home by a woman that said she was from the Beulah Baptist Church and would like to go inside her home to pray with her.

The suspect stayed and prayed with the woman for about 15 minutes. As the suspect started to leave the home, she told the elderly victim that she had left her cell phone behind on the sofa. After going back to get her phone, the female suspect left.

The victim later discovered that her purse was missing — including her keys with a Navy Federal financial card attached.

Family said the victim’s card was then used for $10 at Gee Willie’s convenience store on Highway 29 in Cantonment, and then to make two separate purchases totaling over $300 at the nearby Cantonment Dollar General store.

NorthEscambia.com was alerted to another incident involving someone making their way into the home of an elderly resident. A police report was not filed in the second  incident.

And an elderly resident on Bet Raines Road said a woman came to her backdoor and started a conversation. The elderly woman was led to believe that the female was from a local church and invited her inside for a cold drink. The  female then asked to use the restroom. And some point, the resident became uncomfortable with the situation and tried to call relatives. The suspicious woman then left.

Nothing was reported missing in the Bet Raines Road incident.

Criminal History

In 2006-2007, Smith was arrested or convicted of committing multiple offenses of burglary, theft, credit card fraud, forgery, and uttering forged instrument offenses. Authorities said many of her previous offenses matched the same method of operation as the current local cases.

When arrested on the Santa Rosa County warrants, Georgia authorities also charged Smith with at least one purse theft and two fraudulent use of credit cards offenses.

Smith will be extradited to Florida after her Georgia charges are disposed.

Comments

5 Responses to “Burglary, Purse Theft Suspect Targeting The Elderly Arrested In Georgia”

  1. Frank on April 19th, 2013 4:32 am

    Ok good, however, Sant Rosa county won’t do a thing for more serious crimes,

    My elderly father was scammed into paying thousands to a builder who cashed check and ran.

    I was tolds to fill out 5 pages of paper work send into state it will take about 2 years to get to my case.

    So slam dunk ..in meamtime how many other victims… I get it more serious crimes like murder go first but in theese rinky dink town s not much goes on .

    So why not arreest someone scamming thousands from eldrerly? when it is so clear cut???

  2. sonors on September 24th, 2012 12:56 pm

    @Mick,,,, you are so right,,,that’s why she will probably get 2 months probation instead !

  3. Randy on September 24th, 2012 12:32 pm

    1. Glad they caught the dirtbag.

  4. mick on September 23rd, 2012 7:14 am

    Preying on the elderly should be enough to put her behind bars for a long time, and dont let her languish with 3 meals a day … hard labor is in order for someone like this who commits such crimes, she deserves a hard life behind bars

  5. Jane on September 23rd, 2012 6:14 am

    I’ve said it before and I will say it again…NEVER LET A STRANGER INTO YOUR HOME!!!! If you don’t know them, if they are with a “utility” without proper id, call the utility, call the police. If they want to pray with you, tell them you are busy. If they say they are from such and such a church, call the church. One lady here in Molino might have had this person come to her home…but she didn’t let them, thank goodness! Be safe, not a victim!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News