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Caught On Video: Police On The Hunt For Pickpocket Suspects

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) —  The Los Angeles Police Department is hoping the public can help it nab a tricky trio of pickpockets.

Security camera video captured the three in action.

They are shown canvassing a store at the Beverly Center and following a woman around a store.

A female is shown sidling next to the victim. The unknown woman reaches into the victim's purse and pulls out her wallet. The victim doesn't suspect a thing. She also pulls out the victim's cellphone.

The bandit has two male accomplices who are working as lookouts.

The woman doesn't realize her wallet and phone are missing until she goes to the register to pay for her items.

The LAPD told KCAL9's Rachel Kim the incident occurred Oct. 23.

She showed the video to several shoppers who were shocked and appalled.

"That's going to make me more vigilant," said one shopper.

"Wow, that's very sneaky," said another.

The LAPD advises not to make thefts easy for pickpockets. In addition to keeping focused and keeping your purse in front of you, keep it zipped up. Be suspicious of people trying to get next to you or who keep bumping into you.

"I actually never zip my purse, it's terrible, but I'm gonna start doing it now knowing what's been happening," says shopper Brooke Wolfe.

Anyone who recognizes the suspects is asked to call the LAPD's Wilshire Division.

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