Police have issued an alert for citizens to be aware of a woman police suspect is stealing credit cards and wallets from people at various area retail outlets.

One of the most recent incidents occurred Aug. 20, when an an elderly female had her wallet stolen while shopping at Kroger, 2917 W. Alex Bell Road, according to Miami Twp. police.

A short time later, an unidentified black male and female used the victim’s credit cards at the Dayton Mall Target, Best Buy and Home Depot stores to buy gift cards, an iPad, and a digital camera — the merchandise totaled more than $4,100, according to Maj. John DiPietro, deputy chief.

Police reviewed closed circuit television surveillance of parking lots at the stores, DiPietro said, and it appears the suspects are aware of outside video cameras as they try to park away from the businesses so their getaway vehicle cannot be identified.

DiPietro said it’s possible the same female suspect is connected to a similar type of credit card thefts from purses at other locations that include restaurants. A male seen with the woman in surveillance photos was with her during the Aug. 20 incident.

Police are warning that this type of crime is committed when a victim leaves their purse or wallet unattended for only a few moments. Before the victim notices that their credit cards or wallet has been taken, the suspects are quickly trying to buy items knowing they have a limited amount of time before the credit cards are reported stolen.

Grocery stores are prime targets as people usually have their purse in the cart, and turn away to select items or while placing the bags in their vehicle, police said.

“The shopper doesn’t realize they’ve been victimized until they check out,” DiPietro told News Center 7’s John Bedell. “They find ‘oh wow. I don’t have my wallet. Where’s my wallet? Where’s my credit cards?’ “

Electronics and large denominations of gift cards are usually purchased during that “window of opportunity,” he said.

Anyone who sees such a theft or has information about the Aug. 20 incident is asked to call the police department’s tip line at (937) 434-TIPS or Detective Bob Sakal at (937)-531-4063.