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A 29-year-old woman is accused of stealing purses from senior citizens’ carts as they shopped in stores in the city’s west end.
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Toronto Police said the series of purse thefts allegedly occurred in the area of Weston Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W. between Sept. 1 and Tuesday.
“It is alleged that … the accused attended various stores targeting senior citizens who would place their purses and handbags in the upper area of their shopping cart,” police said in a statement released Wednesday.
“The accused would then await the opportunity when the victim would turn their attention away from their belongings, take possession of the item and flee the store.”
Ashante Whittaker, 29, faces charges for allegedly stealing senior citizens’ purses or handbags from their shopping carts in stores in the area of Weston Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W. between Sept. 1 and Oct 6, 2026. Photo by Handout /Toronto Police
Officers from 12 Division responded to a radio call regarding a suspect matching the description of the purse thief on Tuesday and arrested a woman.
Ashante Whittaker is charged with four counts of theft under $5,000, two counts of unauthorized use of a credit card and two counts of fraud under $5,000.
Ashante Whittaker, 29, faces charges for allegedly stealing senior citizens’ purses or handbags from their shopping carts in stores in the area of Weston Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W. between Sept. 1 and Oct 6, 2026. Photo by Handout /Toronto Police
She is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 8.
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