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Pair Charged In Wallet Thefts At Clearwater Mall

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TBO.com

Published: September 10, 2008

  Aletha Karalus

  David Richardson Jr.

CLEARWATER - Authorities say they have arrested two people in a string of purse and wallet thefts.

Aletha Karalus, 48, and David Richardson Jr., 27, both of Oldsmar, have been charged with scheming to defraud, according to the Clearwater Police Department.

There have been at least 10 victims, many of them at Westfield Countryside mall, said Elizabeth Daly-Watts, Clearwater's public safety spokeswoman.

In August and July, a number of people reported having purses or wallets stolen at the mall, she said. Investigators determined that Richardson and Karalus teamed up to steal the valuables, Daly-Watts said.

One of them would distract their target while the other would grab a wallet from a woman's purse or take the purse. They used stolen credit cards to buy merchandise and gift cards, authorities say.

Police say investigators identified Karalus by using surveillance videos from stores. Detectives also identified a male accomplice and vehicle.

On Tuesday, detectives from the Clearwater Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office arrested the pair.

Karalus also was arrested in connection with thefts at Chuck E. Cheese's at 25921 U.S. 19 N.

There could be additional charges, authorities said.

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