Search Continues For Brazen Purse Snatcher

WATERFORD (WWJ) - Have you seen Deborah Lynn Simmons?

She's been wanted by police since July 30, when she was caught on camera robbing a 90-year-old woman who was shopping for produce at a local Meijer store.

Simmons is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and around 210 lbs. Police say the 49-year-old has a warrant out for her arrest for absconding parole, and has a criminal history that dates back to 1985.

According to police, the theft occurred at the Meijer on Highland and Pontiac Lake roads in Waterford Township.

The elderly Pontiac woman told police that she was looking at items with her back turned to her cart. When the victim turned around, her shopping cart was missing along with her purse.

The victim notified a store employee, who located the her cart and purse a few isles over. Police say the purse was unzipped and missing two bank envelopes containing $1,200, along with the victim's wallet which contained several credit cards.

Police were called to the store to review security footage, which shows Simmons looking at the cart while the victim has her back turned, as if she's contemplating whether or not she has the guts to pull off the crime. Video from another camera shows Simmons walking away, pushing the victim's cart and removing the items from the victim's purse.

A final video grabs perhaps the clearest glimpse of Simmons' face as she exits the store, seemingly empty-handed.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to Simmons' arrest.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. You can also submit a tip online at www.1800speakup.org, or text "CSM" and your tip to CRIMES (274637).

MORE: Police Search For Crook Who Snatched 90-Year-Old's Purse At Meijer