Caught: Man wanted for stealing purse

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Police have arrested the man accused of stealing a wallet from a woman’s purse at the Macy’s store in Carousel Mall.

Jonathan Perez, 28, was recognized by mall staff members on Monday. He fled the mall, but was caught on North Salina Street.

Police say Perez was responsible for a second robbery at the mall since our first profile piece on him was done.

Perez was charged with grand larceny and robbery. Police say he also had an outstanding warrant for a robbery and petit larceny charge in the Town of DeWitt.

Original story from May 11, 2009

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – It happened right in the middle of the day, in a very crowded department store. The big crowd didn't stop one very brazen thief with quick hands from snatching a wallet from a purse.

He quickly walked away with it, and likely thought he got away with the crime, but Syracuse Police are saying not so fast. Surveillance cameras got a good look at him, and now police are asking for your help tracking him down.

The suspected thief struck at the Macy’s store in the Carousel Center several weeks ago.

The wallet was in a purse behind a Macy's store counter. The victim was a Macy's store employee working an afternoon shift.  She told police she witnessed the theft, and told some of the other store employees she was going to go after him.

The employee got scared, and the suspect made off with her wallet.

According to police, he used the victim’s credit card on the other side of the mall, at the Sports Authority store. Police say he purchased more than $160 worth of merchandise, and surveillance cameras were rolling, capturing his purchases.

Syracuse police are hoping you can now tell them who the man is. If you have any information, give detectives a call at 442-5222.