Thieves In Disguise Target Churches, Hospital

DUNWOODY, Ga. -- Authorities are on the lookout for three women putting on disguises to steal credit cards, who have thus far struck in North Fulton, DeKalb and Hall counties, investigators said.

"It's bad enough to steal from anyone and then you steal credit cards and offering money," said Brenda Russell, one of the victims.

Russell is the children's pastor at Dunwoody Baptist Church. She told Channel 2's Erica Byfield that thieves stole her credit card and a co-worker's credit card from their purses during a Sunday moing service.

"Before they could get them canceled, they had spent $1,500 on mine at Kroger, CVS Pharmacy and Target and about $2,500 on hers at the same three stores," Russell said.

Police gave GA Daily News three surveillance images from Target of the alleged thieves in action. Russell and the investigators believe the women dressed up before committing the thefts.

"I think they came that day dressed as if they were coming to church," said Russell.

Lt. Steve Rose with Sandy Springs Police Department said later that same day, the women stole a credit card and cash from an offering plate at North Springs United Methodist Church.

"During the Sunday service, they went back into an office area to check offering and they noticed $270 was missing," said Rose.

Rose also said that detectives suspect the women dressed in scrubs, then traveled further north later in the week to commit a similar crime in Gainesville at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

"The boldness and the lack of reverence, it's sad," said Russell.

Investigators are looking into the possibility that the theft ring extends beyond Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Gainesville.