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South American Theft Group steals thousands from elderly Kokomo women

FILE - This Nov. 18, 2009 file photo shows credit and bank cards with electronic chips in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. In the wake of recent high-profile data breaches, including this weekís revelation that hackers stole consumer data from eBayís computer systems, Visa and MasterCard are renewing a push to speed the adoption of microchips into U.S. credit and debit cards. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
by: WRTV Staff
Posted: / Updated:

KOKOMO — A string of thefts tied to South American Theft Groups continued recently, but this time in Kokomo.

According to the Kokomo Police Department, a group of women reportedly stole wallets out of women’s purses.

The group, whose names will not be released until formal charges are filed, allegedly stole from numerous elderly women with reports dating to January 2022.

Using the stolen wallets, the thieves would use credit cards to purchase prepaid gift cards.

READ MORE |5 members of “South American Theft Group” arrested for burglary in Greenfield

The women, from Chile, were arrested Monday and face charges of theft, fraud and racketeering.

When caught, the women were in possession of stolen property from cases in Tennessee and Oklahoma as well. They also had fake identification from Puerto Rico and cash along with more than $85,000 in prepaid gift cards.

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