WESTON, Fla. – Detectives say they were able to arrest a woman caught on surveillance video stealing wallets from unsuspecting shoppers at Publix thanks to an attentive TV viewer.
Broward Sheriff's Office detectives released video of one of the thefts on Aug. 29.
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Once the tip was received, detectives confirmed the information and coordinated with the suspect's probation officer to take her into custody, deputies said.
At 11 a.m. Thursday, deputies said 53-year-old Janett Cooper was arrested at the probation office in Hollywood.
The surveillance video released showed Cooper just after 2:20 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Publix at 294 Indian Trace in Weston.
Deputies said Cooper wandered with a cart through the grocery store aisles, pretending to look at items. Once she got close enough to another shopper's cart to peek into her open purse, deputies said she lifted the wallet and slipped it into her own purse.
According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, Cooper admitted to the crime and faces charges of grand theft and petit theft.
Additional charges are expected from other local agencies that are looking at Cooper for similar crimes in their jurisdictions, deputies said.