A 12-YEAR-OLD boy has been interviewed and charged with stealing money from purses.
Police said the charges related to 16 counts of pinching money out of people’s purses in the Cranbourne South area.
Police said most of the time the purses were put back in the people’s bags after the money was stolen.
Detective Acting Sergeant Pete Carroll from Cranbourne CIU urged people to take care of their belongings and always keep a close eye on their bags, especially in busy areas such as shopping centres.
He also warned people to be particularly vigilant over the Christmas period, and not to leave valuables or Christmas presents visible in cars.
The boy will appear at the Dandenong Children’s Court at a later date.