the Hugging Bandit

mimo2005 · 02-22-2007, 07:47 AM

Hugs seem innocent enough.
But dozens of men visiting Buffalo's Chippewa Street area say they are being duped by "the Hugging Bandit."

They say this woman gives hearty hugs to unsuspecting men and steals their wallets in the process.

For about the past decade, the 200-plus-pound woman has been lurking on Chippewa Street, targeting weekend revelers leaving the bars, police say.

"She doesn't just go up to you and hug you," said Detective Sgt. Tom Donovan of the Central Police District. "She actually grabs [them], tries to talk them into something more, and there goes their wallet."

"The Hugging Bandit" typically strikes between 2 and 4 a.m. and uses the credit cards she steals within hours of her theft, police said.

"As far as I can tell, she waits until it's late at night and these guys coming out of the bars are tipsy," said Donovan. "They're either going to their car or going to the hot dog vendor . . . She makes sure they're rip-roaring drunk."

Police believe her fondling is not a criminal sexual act. They say it is a diversion to steal their cash.

Officers believe "the Hugging Bandit" is a 48-year-old Buffalo woman they have arrested 17 times between 1998 and 2005.

She has been arrested for similar schemes in the past, police said, and also has been convicted in Buffalo City Court for criminal possession of stolen property and prostitution.

Her most recent theft was early Sunday at Chippewa and Franklin streets, and her victim soon realized that the hug was not just a hug.

The Marilla Street man told police his wallet was stolen sometime after 1 a.m. Sunday after he was approached by the heavyset woman.

The woman approached him for sex, police said. When the victim told her "no," she gave him a hug and left. The victim says she took his wallet containing $25, his driver's license and debit cards.

Wednesday, the man went to the police station, where Central District detectives showed him several photos, including that of the woman police suspect in the case. The man admitted that "he was too drunk to remember her," police said.

Police said that most victims are embarrassed to tell their story.

http://buffalonews.com/editorial/20070222/1042891.asp

02-22-2007, 07:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
mimo2005 Manager, Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11,142 OS: xp	the Hugging Bandit Hugs seem innocent enough. But dozens of men visiting Buffalo's Chippewa Street area say they are being duped by "the Hugging Bandit." They say this woman gives hearty hugs to unsuspecting men and steals their wallets in the process. For about the past decade, the 200-plus-pound woman has been lurking on Chippewa Street, targeting weekend revelers leaving the bars, police say. "She doesn't just go up to you and hug you," said Detective Sgt. Tom Donovan of the Central Police District. "She actually grabs [them], tries to talk them into something more, and there goes their wallet." "The Hugging Bandit" typically strikes between 2 and 4 a.m. and uses the credit cards she steals within hours of her theft, police said. "As far as I can tell, she waits until it's late at night and these guys coming out of the bars are tipsy," said Donovan. "They're either going to their car or going to the hot dog vendor . . . She makes sure they're rip-roaring drunk." Police believe her fondling is not a criminal sexual act. They say it is a diversion to steal their cash. Officers believe "the Hugging Bandit" is a 48-year-old Buffalo woman they have arrested 17 times between 1998 and 2005. She has been arrested for similar schemes in the past, police said, and also has been convicted in Buffalo City Court for criminal possession of stolen property and prostitution. Her most recent theft was early Sunday at Chippewa and Franklin streets, and her victim soon realized that the hug was not just a hug. The Marilla Street man told police his wallet was stolen sometime after 1 a.m. Sunday after he was approached by the heavyset woman. The woman approached him for sex, police said. When the victim told her "no," she gave him a hug and left. The victim says she took his wallet containing $25, his driver's license and debit cards. Wednesday, the man went to the police station, where Central District detectives showed him several photos, including that of the woman police suspect in the case. The man admitted that "he was too drunk to remember her," police said. Police said that most victims are embarrassed to tell their story. http://buffalonews.com/editorial/20070222/1042891.asp __________________ TSF has outgrown its server, again. Please help "Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo"