BRENTWOOD, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The Brentwood Police Department tells First Alert 4 officers have seen a pattern of thefts where people take purses, wallets, phones or credit cards from unattended shopping carts.

Police said the thieves then use the credit cards within minutes and make fraudulent purchases.

According to data from the Brentwood Police Department, there were nine reported incidents of this type in 2023, 12 in 2024, and nine reported so far in 2025 year-to-date.

At the Target in Brentwood, Marissa Omurtag wanted to get an early start to Christmas shopping for her four kids.

“I just wanna get it all done before Thanksgiving. That’s my goal,” Omurtag said.

Omurtag said she is very cautious about keeping herself and her stuff safe.

“I usually take all of my belongings, bu

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