Two jailed suspects may be involved in dozens of purse thefts, police say

A frantic mother chased after the stranger, fearing her infant son had been snatched from his car seat.

The suspected thief had waited to make her move until the woman turned her back to return a shopping cart at the Marysville Wal-Mart. Then she reached into the woman’s vehicle, raced away and jumped into a waiting car.

The mother ran after her and lunged through the passenger window. As the getaway car sped up she was forced to let go.

She was thankful for what the woman left behind.

Her baby, just 9 weeks old, was safe. Her purse was gone.

On Tuesday, Bothell police arrested the suspected thief.

They think she is behind a similar incident Monday. A woman was dragged across a parking lot when she attempted to get her purse back after it was snatched from her car while the victim returned a shopping cart.

The suspect, Sara Cruver, 19, appeared in Everett District Court on Thursday. She was ordered held on $320,000 bail for investigation of first- and second-degree robbery in the Marysville and Bothell thefts.

Allen Knoll, 21, believed to be the getaway driver in the Marysville theft, was ordered held on $250,000 bail.

Police across Snohomish County are investigating Cruver, Knoll and others in connection with numerous thefts and forgeries. The suspects are believed to be involved in dozens of purse thefts in the county and elsewhere, including stores in Woodinville and Kirkland, Bothell police Capt. Denise Langford said.

The suspects allegedly steal purses out of unlocked cars at shopping centers, often after women have unloaded their purchases and are returning the carts.

They quickly use stolen credit cards to buy electronics and gift cards, often at Target stores. That loot is then sold or pawned for cash. A stolen purse even wound up in a consignment shop.

Cruver, of Mukilteo, allegedly told Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives she is addicted to prescription painkillers and steals so she can buy OxyContin, court documents show.

Prosecutors have charged her with theft, forgery and possession of stolen property connected to two purse snatchings. She is a suspect in numerous other cases, according to police.

Police believe she steals the purses and her cohorts use the stolen credit cards to get cash.

Everett police arrested Cruver in June but she posted bail. She was locked up after a woman reported her purse was stolen from her vehicle while she was wheeling a cart back to a return carousel.

The victim’s 5-year-old son already was buckled in the back seat and witnessed the theft, police said.

Cruver allegedly has told investigators she ripped off at least one purse a day between May 14 and June 19, according to a police affidavit. She claimed that the group made at least $500 a day, court documents said.

She targets women, often those who have their children with them, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Travis Johnson said.

“She is stealing from innocent victims in parking lots,” he said.

Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

In this Jan. 4, 2019 photo, workers and other officials gather outside the Sky Valley Education Center school in Monroe, Wash., before going inside to collect samples for testing. The samples were tested for PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, as well as dioxins and furans. A lawsuit filed on behalf of several families and teachers claims that officials failed to adequately respond to PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, in the school. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Judge halves $784M for women exposed to Monsanto chemicals at Monroe school

Monsanto lawyers argued “arbitrary and excessive” damages in the Sky Valley Education Center case “cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny.”

Mukilteo Police Chief Andy Illyn and the graphic he created. He is currently attending the 10-week FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. (Photo provided by Andy Illyn)
Help wanted: Unicorns for ‘pure magic’ career with Mukilteo police

“There’s a whole population who would be amazing police officers” but never considered it, the police chief said.

Alan Edward Dean, convicted of the 1993 murder of Melissa Lee, professes his innocence in the courtroom during his sentencing Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bothell man gets 26 years in cold case murder of Melissa Lee, 15

“I’m innocent, not guilty. … They planted that DNA. I’ve been framed,” said Alan Edward Dean, as he was sentenced for the 1993 murder.

Patrick Lester Clay (Photo provided by the Department of Corrections)
Police searching for Monroe prison escapee

Officials suspect Patrick Lester Clay, 59, broke into an employee’s office, stole their car keys and drove off.

People hang up hearts with messages about saving the Clark Park gazebo during a “heart bomb” event hosted by Historic Everett on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Clark Park gazebo removal complicated by Everett historical group

Over a City Hall push, the city’s historical commission wants to find ways to keep the gazebo in place, alongside a proposed dog park.

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Deadline fast approaching for Everett property tax measure

Everett leaders are working to the last minute to nail down a new levy. Next week, the City Council will have to make a final decision.

Hawthorne Elementary students Kayden Smith, left, John Handall and Jace Debolt use their golden shovels to help plant a tree at Wiggums Hollow Park  in celebration of Washington’s Arbor Day on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to hold post-Earth Day recycling event in Monroe

Locals can bring hard-to-recycle items to Evergreen State Fair Park. Accepted items include Styrofoam, electronics and tires.

A group including Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Compass Health CEO Tom Sebastian, Sen. Keith Wagoner and Rep. Julio Cortes take their turn breaking ground during a ceremony celebrating phase two of Compass Health’s Broadway Campus Redevelopment project Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Compass Health cuts child and family therapy services in Everett

The move means layoffs and a shift for Everett families to telehealth or other care sites.

Everett
Everett baby dies amid string of child fentanyl overdoses

Firefighters have responded to three incidents of children under 2 who were exposed to fentanyl this week. Police were investigating.

Everett
Everett police arrest different man in fatal pellet gun shooting

After new evidence came to light, manslaughter charges were dropped against Alexander Moseid. Police arrested Aaron Trevino.

A Mukilteo Speedway sign hangs at an intersection along the road on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
What’s in a ‘speedway’? Mukilteo considers renaming main drag

“Why would anybody name their major road a speedway?” wondered Mayor Joe Marine. The city is considering a rebrand for its arterial route.

Edmonds City Council members answer questions during an Edmonds City Council Town Hall on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds fire service faces expiration date, quandary about what’s next

South County Fire will end a contract with the city in late 2025, citing insufficient funds. Edmonds sees four options for its next step.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.