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Police: Hugging bandit no longer free
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | Tuesday, March 22, 2005 | Cara Hayden and Tom Jewell

Posted on 03/22/2005 9:34:24 AM PST by Willie Green

Whoever said "Hugs are free" apparently hasn't run the "hugging thief."

West Mifflin police are accusing Mary Ann Johnson, of Clairton, of being the "hugging thief." They have received half a dozen reports of a woman walking up to senior citizens; acting as if she knew them, sometimes with an embrace; and walking off with their valuables. Victims lost cash, credit cards, gift certificates, even a birth certificate.

Johnson is charged in connection with six thefts, police said.

Victim Violet Lawton, 79, of Whitehall, said she had just checked out with her groceries on March 15 at the Century III Giant Eagle in West Mifflin and hadn't had time to close the zipper on her purse before a woman put her arm around her. The woman told Lawton, "Our girls know each other" and "I see you in church."

(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...


TOPICS: Local News; Society; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: crime; donutwatch; hugsnotdrugs; leo; pickpockets

1 posted on 03/22/2005 9:34:24 AM PST by Willie Green
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To: martin_fierro; xsmommy

ping


2 posted on 03/22/2005 9:34:56 AM PST by Willie Green (Go Pat Go!!!)
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To: Willie Green; xsmommy

Hugs / long arm of the law / etc. etc.


3 posted on 03/22/2005 9:44:20 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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