Vestal, NY (WBNG Binghamton) An arrest is made after a four month investigation to catch a wallet snatcher.
Police credit a county wide loss prevention group.
Action News Reporter Leigh Dana shows us how many more crimes like this one are solved with its help.
60 year old Linda Reed of Binghamton was arrested Friday, accused of shoplifting at Wegmans in Johnson City.
At the same time, a loss prevention worker recognized her as a possible purse thief.
In the past few months, police believe Reed stole wallets from unattended bags at stores like Walmart and Wegmans.
"It took until she was actually caught red handed by the loss prevention employee at Wegmans to break the case," said Vestal Police Segeant, Christopher Streno.
The arrest at Wegman's is just one example of how the lost prevention program works to crack crimes throughout the county.
"We all work together, we all help each other and in many instances it's helped,"said Benny Fiacco .
He is the owner of Music City in Vestal, and is one of many business owners who attend monthly loss prevention meetings and round table discussions hosted by the Vestal Police Department.
"Sometimes we'll see someone in our store that we suspect and we'll alert other people. And sometimes people in other stores see someone and they make it known at the meeting," he said.
"Almost every meeting we'll have someone from a store show a photo of an unidentified suspect someone from another store will know who it is," said Streno.
And in the case of Linda Reed, the group was made aware of her criminal activity back in April.
After a discussion of similar types of thefts throughout the area.
"Not only do we identify suspects, we also talk about different ways the stores can assist in stopping crimes before they happen.," added Streno.
Before another store or customer becomes a target.
In Vestal, Leigh Dana, WBNG TV Action News.
Reed is charged with multiple counts of felony grand larceny
She will be arraigned in Vestal Town Court on August 5th.
If your business would like to get involved with the loss prevention program you can call Sergeant Streno at 754 2386 extension 444.
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