Two women pickpocketed older adults for seven months, Florida police say
By Allen Cone
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BOYNTON BEACH, Florida (WPBF) — Two women are accused of a pickpocketing scheme targeting older adults for seven months, the Boynton Beach Police Department said Thursday.
The suspects, identified as 59-year-old Mavis Johnson of West Palm Beach and 57-year-old Tammy Evans of Boynton Beach, worked together to steal victims’ wallets at Ross Dress for Less and Dollar Tree in a shopping plaza at 2234 N. Congress Ave., police said. They then attempted to steal credit cards at various Target and Publix locations in Palm Beach and Broward counties, according to the arrest report.
Mavis Johnson used disguises in a pickpocketing scheme targeting elderly shoppers at Ross and Dollar Tree stores in Boynton Beach, police say. They are facing charges of unlawful possession of a stolen credit/debit card, theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of personal identification information and an organized scheme to defraud a person older than 65.
Johnson was arrested March 11 for some charges and April 8 for other ones, with her next court appearance scheduled for July 1. She is being held on bond totaling $26,250.
Evans was arrested Wednesday with bond totalling $25,000 Thursday, and her next court appearance is scheduled for June 12.
They were on probation for committing various crimes that include fraud and grand theft.
During each theft, Johnson would disguise herself by wearing different outfits, wigs and medical masks, while Evans would act as the getaway driver, police said. They drove a silver Infiniti SUV.
On March 11, detectives located the getaway vehicle near Ross and the Dollar Tree on Congress Avenue.
BBPD detectives, recognizing the suspects’ pattern of theft, set up surveillance. Utilizing drones from the Real Time Crime Center, detectives confirmed that Evans was the driver of the vehicle. Shortly after, a heavily disguised Johnson was seen exiting the Dollar Tree and entering Ross.
Johnson was then observed leaving Ross and returning to the Dollar Tree. Simultaneously, BBPD communications received a call from a victim at Ross who advised that a wallet was taken from a purse.
Detectives maintained continuous surveillance of the pair as they left the area and headed toward the Target off Boynton Beach Boulevard.
The South Florida Criminal Apprehension Team joined BBPD detectives in conducting surveillance.
Johnson, wearing a new disguise, was then observed walking into Target and using multiple credit cards to purchase $100 gift cards.
Johnson was found to be in possession of the original victim’s credit card in the March 11 incident. And it was discovered that the gift cards were purchased with credit cards from another victim who was at the Dollar Tree.
Evans told investigators she was only driving Johnson to various locations and was unaware of her activities.
Johnson admitted to investigators that she committed the theft and fraudulent use of credit cards and said Evans was not involved.
The arrest report lists thefts starting Oct. 24 at Ross. Other reported thefts were on Sept. 4 at Dollar Tree, Sept. 24 at Dollar Tree, Oct. 15 at Dollar Tree, Oct. 23 at Ross, Jan. 9 at Dollar Tree and Feb. 14 at Dollar Tree.
“The Boynton Beach Police Department encourages shoppers to remain aware of their surroundings and to keep a close eye on personal belongings while in public places,” the agency said. “Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this pickpocketing scheme is urged to contact the BBPD by calling 561-742-6100.”
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