By Angela Marshall
One particular pocketbook pilferer has some RVC business owners miffed. Sue Roth, owner of Segull's Sweetzone, is particularly offended that the woman had the gall to take Roth's own purse right in front of her.
The woman, who Roth describes as being about 6 foot tall, asked to use the bathroom. Before she went in, she sat her coat down. When she came out, she used her coat to pick up Roth's purse.
I'm really pissed, Roth said, going on to describe all of the expense she has incurred due to the larceny new locks, seven sets of keys, a wallet and much more. She is costing me a fortune.
The woman was wearing a wig, high heals and torn fishnet stockings. She certainly stood out, Roth said.
Most neighboring store owners recognize the woman's description. She's been to them all, according to Roth.
Mrs. Kim, of Kim's Nail Salon, told a similar story. The woman came in, said she wanted a manicure and a pedicure but was waiting for a friend. Kim said the woman asked to use the bathroom, even came back out for reading material, and then took an employee's pocketbook.
The employee had just returned from the Post Office and had not put it away yet.
The nail salon, in business for about 13 years, has never been hit before and the experience has changed Kim.
She will no longer let customers use the bathroom. Over the years, Kim has come to think of her customers as family but now she said she will have to watch them and her pocketbook more carefully.
Kim said at least two other nail salons and a grocery store reported seeing the woman.
Roth would like to see the Chamber of Commerce create a phone chain so that businesses can alert each other of suspicious customers. Lt. James Kraemer, of the Rockville Centre Police Department, said he is not surprised by the pocketbook thefts. He said many people just leave them lying around. Everything, he said, should be under lock and key.
