ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) -- An Auburn Hills woman is facing charges, accused of stealing purses from two shoppers at grocery stores in Rochester Hills.
Lynsie Marion Leinenger, 37, appeared in 52-3 District Court Friday for an arraignment on felony charges of unarmed robbery and larceny from a person.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the first incident happened at the Kroger store on Livernois.
Leinenger grabbed a purse belonging to a 64-year-old woman from a shopping cart, and fled, investigators said.
About 30 minutes later, while deputies were finishing up at Kroger, they were called to the Meijer on Marketplace Circle.
In that case, Leinenger allegedly grabbed a purse from another shopping cart, before being chased and knocked down with the cart by the 71-year-old owner of the purse. The two woman wrestled over the handbag before Leinenger was able to grab it and run towards the door, officials said.
She then fell and hurt her knee, allowing the victim to get her purse back.
That's when the suspect was taken into custody.
“This is a sad reminder that there are individuals who seek to prey on others – particularly the elderly – during the holiday season,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said, in a statement. “We urge everyone to remain situationally aware, and we specifically encourage women to keep a close watch on their purses and never leave them unattended in shopping carts. We look forward to this suspect being held full accountable.”
Leinenger was ordered held on a $10,000 cash/surety bond, and was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 23.
The sheriff's office noted that Leinenger has prior convictions for home invasion and uttering and publishing.