Since December, a criminal case has been opened for the theft of wallets several times

Winnipeg police say a 26-year-old man has been charged with multiple purse thefts dating back to mid-December.

According to police, on December 12, 2023, they received a report that a man approached a woman at a discount store and asked for bus fare.

The woman made a kind gesture and pulled out her purse, which was when the man stole it.

From there, the woman's credit card was reportedly used to make several transactions totaling more than $4,500.

A couple of weeks later, on December 28, the police received the same report, this time a woman was approached by a man asking for bus fare.

As the woman began to rummage through the purse, the man swiped again.

Reports indicate the woman used her credit card for $800 in purchases after the incident.

Police say on February 11, 2024, a third such incident occurred at the same pharmacy.

Before the wallet was stolen, the woman was again approached by a man who asked for bus fare.

Through an investigation, Winnipeg Police identified and arrested a man allegedly involved in the alleged theft.

The 26-year-old, who has not been named by police, has since been charged with three counts of robbery and two counts of fraud under $5,000.

WPS adds through an investigation, two more thefts occurred in February. One incident happened at a discount store on Ellis Avenue near Strathcona Street, and the other happened at a shopping center on Corydon Avenue.