Katrina RauchCLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a series of purse thefts in Clarksville.
Police said the thieves stole the purses of nine victims when they would leave them unattended while shopping. Then they would use the stolen credit cards to buy gift cards before they were canceled. Police said the pair bought approximately $2,000 in gift cards from October to December 2012.
Police were able to identify one of the suspected thieves when an officer spotted a Mazda Miata that had been linked to the thefts. Detectives used that information to develop 19-year-old Katrina Rauch and a 17-year-old juvenile as suspects.
A search warrant led to the discovery of stolen property and cash inside Rauch's home on Tobacco Road on March 6.
The victims had an estimated $5,500 stolen from them either through the credit card transactions or property taken from their purses.
Police said Rauch and her accomplice would throw away items in the purses that could not be sold for money.
Rauch was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and charged with three counts of stolen property and possession of stolen property. Her bond was set at $25,000. The juvenile was charged with theft.
Police said more charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
