Brazen carpark theft appals pregnant woman

A pregnant woman who had her handbag pinched at a Rotorua supermarket carpark this week says the theft has left her stunned.

She is one of two victims who have this week lost their handbags in brazen thefts in Rotorua - prompting a warning from Rotorua police for shoppers to be extra careful.

The woman, who only wants to be known as Tracey, had her handbag stolen from her car while she was parked in the carpark in the Rotorua Central Mall on Wednesday morning.

Tracey, who is five-months pregnant, said she was appalled by the actions of the thief.

As she got her 18-month-old son, Caleb, out of the car she said she heard a car reversing "fast" from next to her car. The thief had snatched her bag from her front seat.

She said she knew her handbag had gone before she even looked.

"I was in shock and couldn't believe it. I was just clipping Caleb into his pram ... I looked up and saw this black car," she said.

"I thought, 'oh my God'. You hear of things like this happening but you don't think it's going to happen to you."

The thief took her handbag with a cellphone, keys, wallet, digital camera, credit and eftpos cards inside.

The incident has left her feeling stunned.

"I was gutted, absolutely gutted. My whole life was in that handbag ... I don't know whether he was just driving around looking for a victim or what. It was broad daylight ... at least it was just my handbag and not my child," she said.

Rotorua police are warning shoppers to keep a close eye on their purses and handbags after two handbag thefts in the city this week. The other occurence was in the city's Pak 'n Save carpark.

A woman put her handbag on the front seat and, after putting groceries into her boot, returned to find her handbag had been stolen.

Senior Sergeant Ed Van Den Broek said police were still looking for the culprits and urged shoppers to take extra care when loading or unloading vehicles.

"If you are going to leave a vehicle unattended it should always be locked.

"It only takes a couple of seconds for a thief to reach in and take it," he said.

Mr Van Den Broek said people should be aware of their personal security at all times.

"Even when you are in a service station forecourt, lock your car when you go and pay for your petrol," he said.

- ROTORUA DAILY POST