A woman was arrested in connection with stealing purses from shoppers at Sacramento County grocery stores while distracting the victims, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department said Monday.Jalaeya Jones, 23, of Sacramento was arrested Friday for her part in the thefts, which involved tricking the women by asking for their help, the Sheriff’s Department said.Seven women were robbed between Dec. 7 to Dec. 14; there was an eighth victim later, as well as a victim of attempted theft.Investigators said Jones and another woman were working together to steal purses and then use the victims’ credit cards at nearby stores. The women would approach different victims and rob them separately.The con involved one of the suspects walking up to a shopper, asking for help to find ingredients for a recipe, the Sheriff’s Department said. The woman would explain she is trying to surprise an elderly client with a specific meal. When the victim was distracted, the woman would then grab the wallet from the victim's purse.Jones is suspected of being one of the women wanted for the thefts, the Sheriff’s Department said. She was booked into Sacramento County Jail on charges related to elder abuse, theft and ID theft, and is being held without bail.

A woman was arrested in connection with stealing purses from shoppers at Sacramento County grocery stores while distracting the victims, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department said Monday.

Jalaeya Jones, 23, of Sacramento was arrested Friday for her part in the thefts, which involved tricking the women by asking for their help, the Sheriff’s Department said.


Seven women were robbed between Dec. 7 to Dec. 14; there was an eighth victim later, as well as a victim of attempted theft.

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Jalaeya Jones, 23

Investigators said Jones and another woman were working together to steal purses and then use the victims’ credit cards at nearby stores. The women would approach different victims and rob them separately.

The con involved one of the suspects walking up to a shopper, asking for help to find ingredients for a recipe, the Sheriff’s Department said. The woman would explain she is trying to surprise an elderly client with a specific meal. When the victim was distracted, the woman would then grab the wallet from the victim's purse.

Jones is suspected of being one of the women wanted for the thefts, the Sheriff’s Department said. She was booked into Sacramento County Jail on charges related to elder abuse, theft and ID theft, and is being held without bail.