Fairfax County Police are searching for the person who stole a purse containing a teenager's college tuition money.

Police say this woman is a suspect in a purse theft at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Falls Church, Virginia. (Courtesy Fairfax County Police Department) Courtesy Fairfax County Police Department Police say this vehicle, believed to be a 2009 to 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor, is involved in a purse theft at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Falls Church, Virginia. (Courtesy Fairfax County Police Department) Courtesy Fairfax County Police Department Police say this vehicle, believed to be a 2009 to 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor, is involved in a purse theft at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Falls Church, Virginia. (Courtesy Fairfax County Police Department) Courtesy Fairfax County Police Department ( 1 /4) Share This Gallery: Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via email. Print.

WASHINGTON — A hardworking couple who scrimped and saved for their daughter’s college tuition is asking for the public’s help in finding the person who allegedly stole it — all $10,000 of it.

The couple is still holding out hope that the supposed thief becomes a good Samaritan and returns the tuition money.

Maria Esteves, who cleans houses for a living, and her husband, who is a painter, tells NBC4 that they were taking their 18-year-old daughter, Lili Ferrufino, to Penn State on Jan. 10 when they stopped at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 6138 Arlington Boulevard in Falls Church, Virginia for breakfast.

But when the family walked out, Esteves left her purse on the back of the chair at the restaurant. Inside the purse was her daughter’s college tuition money.

The family had only gone a few blocks from Dunkin’ Donuts before realizing the costly mistake. But when they returned, they were devastated to find that the purse was gone.

Ferrufino says she wants the female seen on surveillance video to know that her parents worked hard for that money.

“I just hope I get to see her and ask, why,” she says.

Ferrufino is still hoping the woman comes forward.

Meanwhile, Fairfax County police are hoping the public can help identify the female in the video.

Police say she left in a dark-colored SUV that is likely a 2009 to 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor. The suspect is described as being in her 30s, about 5-feet, 7-inches tall with long, brown hair. She was seen wearing a light-colored jacket and dark-colored pants at the time of the theft.

Anyone with information is being asked to call Crime Solver 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or call Fairfax County Police at 703 691-2131. Also you can text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).