Jerusalem Police arrested a young woman who disguised herself
as a chareidi woman and stole dozens of purses from chareidi
and other religious women.
The young secular woman, a Jerusalem resident, would wait
beside the entrance to the ladies' room at the Central Bus
Station and when a chareidi woman approached she would ask if
she had a siddur, sefer Tehillim or other holy book in
her purse, offering to watch her purse for a few minutes
while she used the restroom. As soon as she stepped inside
the young thief would dash away.
She managed to steal dozens of purses, spending the money and
keeping the various articles for her own use. In several
instances she would leave on a bus and, after emptying the
contents, would leave the purse on the bus. In a few cases
police sappers had to be called in to check the abandoned
purse.
Following her arrest the young woman admitted to nearly 50
thefts, but police believe the number is much higher. During
questioning she related that while she was employed as a
security worker at the Kosel Maarovi several months ago she
noticed chareidi women did not enter the restroom with a
siddur. During this period she admitted to stealing
three purses, leaving the empty purses outside.
