Walnut Creek PD Nabs Suspected Purse Pickers

Residents of our little suburban slice of heaven reacted with anger and emotion after the September 9 theft of a wallet from an elderly woman shopping in a Walnut Creek Safeway store.

Footage from store video cameras detailed how two women brazenly identified, stalked, and then victimized an older woman as she shopped – totally unaware she had been victimized.

That video was widely circulated. On Monday, Walnut Creek police announced they had made two arrests in connection with the incident, taking Markkisha Anthnisha Mangum, 22, and Martavia Latrice Blount, both 22 years old and both from Stockton, into custody for the crime.

Police said the unidentified victim was shopping at the Tice Valley Safeway and only learned later that her wallet had been stolen and fraudulent credit card charges had been attempted at a nearby store.

Walnut Creek Police released video of the suspects committing the crime via social media. After subsequent media coverage, numerous citizens contacted the Walnut Creek Police Department with information regarding the identity of the suspects.

Mangum was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail for the charges of felony PC 530.5(C)(2)- Identity theft with prior conviction, misdemeanor, PC 368(d)- Financial Elder Abuse, misdemeanor PC 484(g)(b)- Credit Card Fraud, misdemeanor PC 496(a)- Possession of Stolen Property, misdemeanor PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy. Mangum’s bail was set at $82,500. Mangum subsequently posted bail on 9/21/2019.

Blount was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail for the charges of misdemeanor PC 530.5- Identity theft, misdemeanor, PC 368(d)- Financial Elder Abuse, misdemeanor PC 484(g)(b)- Credit Card Fraud, misdemeanor PC 496(a)- Possession of Stolen Property and misdemeanor PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy. Blount’s bail was set at $22,500. Blount was also booked on an outstanding warrant for PC 211- Robbery with a bail of $25,000.