COLUMBUS, Ohio — Multiple thefts and vehicle break-ins have been reported within the last week around popular shopping locations in central Ohio.
As holiday shopping is in full swing, some are taking advantage of the items shoppers might be storing in their vehicles or purses.
Authorities are investigating after thieves targeted women and their purses while they were out shopping in central Ohio over the weekend.
On Dec. 14, the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office said deputies were dispatched to a report of a theft at the parking of the Meijer store located off Diley Road in Canal Winchester.
A woman was sitting in her vehicle, with her purse in the passenger seat, when the suspect allegedly opened her door and stole her purse.
The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Trevon Hunter, was attempting to get into a vehicle when an off-duty Clinton Township officer was nearby and heard the woman yelling for help, the sheriff's office said.
The off-duty officer detained Hunter until deputies arrived. Hunter was taken to jail and charged with theft and tampering with evidence.
One day later, a woman was putting items away in her car at a parking lot in Polaris when three men came from behind and stole her purse, according to the Columbus Division of Police. The theft happened in the Macy's parking lot around 5 p.m. The woman suffered a knee injury during the theft. Police did not provide a description of the suspects.
Anyone with information regarding the purse theft is asked to contact the police.
The thefts come as central Ohioans are busy with holiday shopping. Shoppers are taking extra precautions and shared their safety strategies with 10TV's Kevin Landers on Monday.
One woman who was shopping at Polaris Fashion Place said she parks underneath a light. Another shopper said she parks in the same spot when she visits the mall so she doesn't lose her car and she carries her keys in a defensive position.
Other shoppers shared these tips:
"I always put my purse in the car first before I put packages in."
"Always keep your purse zipped. The other thing I do is wear a cross-body."
Multiple vehicles were broken into Tuesday morning outside of a north Columbus hotel.
A Columbus public safety dispatcher said they received reports around 5 a.m. of multiple vehicle break-ins at the Extended Stay America located at 7465 High Cross Blvd, just north of the Interstate 270 and U.S. Route 23 interchange.
Police say between five and 10 vehicles were broken into. A 10TV photographer found eight such cars, with glass shattered nearby.
Joshua Jackson is visiting from Kentucky for work. He's one of the people whose car was broke into.
"I'm out here just trying to make a living for my family and provide for them and I come to this here. Mind-boggling," Jackson said. "It's sad in a way. It really is. People should get out and go to work for themselves. The working class people shouldn't go through this at all."
One person, who didn't want to go on camera, said his truck was broken into and he had over $1,000 worth of Christmas presents in his back seat, but nothing appears to have been taken.
There were even more vehicle break-ins hours before near Easton Town Center.
A public safety dispatcher for the city told 10TV that five suspects with ski masks broke into vehicles at the Nordstrom Rack at Easton Market. A dispatcher later confirmed more reports of break-ins outside Best Buy, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Marriott, Holiday Inn, REI and HomeGoods.
One victim reported having his gun stolen from his truck, which was parked outside the Holiday Inn.
It's unclear if the break-ins are being done by the same suspects.