Suspects sought in high end handbag heist

SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) - Spanish Fort police are on the hunt for at least two women who they said walked into a Dillard's department store on the Eastern Shore and ran out with at least $8,000 worth of handbags.

Police said the pair stole roughly 20 designer purses from the store early Monday, February 4.

“Generally, a shoplifter steals things in an effort to not get caught,” said Spanish Fort Police Chief David Edgar. “These people are banking on being able to get out of town before they can get caught.”

Surveillance video shows the women walking calmly into the store and casing out the handbag department. Both women spent a few minutes looking around before they began to string purses up their arms and bolt toward the front door.

Witnesses said one of the women ran face first into the glass door before running out.

“One of the suspects hit the glass door,” said Chief Edgar. “They are automatic doors that slide back and forth. They knocked it off its track and made it out to the parking lot.”

Investigators said both women jumped into a running car outside Dillard's and drove off. Authorities confirm the vehicle had a Florida tag.

It is unclear if a third suspect was in the getaway vehicle.

Both women are facing theft of property first-degree charges.

Police are following numerous leads.