There’s no movie magic for victims of thefts

There’s no movie magic
for victims of thefts

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — These days, all of the action at the Loews Metro-plex theaters at Freehold Raceway Mall isn’t confined to the big screen. There seems to be plenty of activity in the auditorium, and not of the type that is pleasing to patrons.

In an ongoing investigation, police are searching for the person or persons who have been stealing credit cards from handbags which have been left on the floor or on seats by theater patrons.

"The investigation is continuing," said Freehold Township Detective Marty Bou-tote. "We are attempting to locate any one (perpetrator) or group of perpetrators who are involved."

In a series of incidents which have stretched from November until now, patrons who have put their pocketbooks on the floor or on the seat next to them have left the theater only to discover at a later time that credit cards are missing from their wallets. The wallets were apparently returned to the pocketbooks by the perpetrators in order to delay the discovery of the theft. In several instances, police discovered that the cards were used to charge thousands of dollars worth of purchases within a day or two of the theft.

Boutote said there are between 18 and 20 cases sitting on his desk right now and there are several avenues which are being explored. The best suggestion being offered for patrons is to leave their pocketbooks at home if they are not needed. If a pocketbook is brought into the theater, Boutote said, it should be held on the patron’s lap, zipped up at all times.

Using a "fanny pack," which is strapped on in front, to carry important items would also help, he noted. Also, the fewer credit cards carried the better and residents should have a list of their credit card numbers and the telephone numbers needed to cancel the cards, at home, if necessary. Patrons may also want to check their handbags before they leave the theater area, the detective suggested.

Boutote noted that most of the thefts have occurred in the darkened theater where there is a high noise level, so the victims cannot hear the perpetrator, and usually in a theater where there are fewer patrons, rather than when the auditorium is crowded and there is more of a chance of being caught.

"When you have a lot of people in a theater, then other people can see what is being done," said the detective. "It could be a main attraction film, but (the thefts) usually occur in the late afternoon or evening. There is no one particular day during the week" when the thefts have occurred.

Sometimes a main attraction is shown in two or three theaters at the complex, with fewer patrons viewing the films at certain hours, he noted.

Boutote said he is only aware that this is happening at the movie theater at the Freehold Raceway Mall and not at other theaters in the area.

"There was an incident I became aware of that took place in Hazlet in August and they made an arrest of an individual at that time," the detective said. "It was somebody who stole cash out of a pocketbook and they caught him right there."

A similar incident occurred several years ago in Dover Township and the perpetrator was also caught, according to Boutote.

"It’s an ongoing, continuing investigation," he said of the Freehold Township thefts.

Marc Pascucci, a spokesman for Loews Cineplex Entertainment, said Monday that the corporation is "very concerned about this situation and it is unfortunate."

He said theater operators are using an on-screen reminder to tell people to watch their valuables and said patrons should not put anything on the floor or on the seat next to them. Pascucci said patrons should immediately report the theft of any personal property to theater management.

— Dave Benjamin