Video Only On 9: Brazen Purse Snatching Caught On Tape

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) —  A new mom had her purse stolen inside a busy Santa Monica restaurant on Wednesday.

KCAL9s's Peter Daut said security video of the crime has been released with the hopes the public will recognize the suspects. It is video that is Only On 9.

Daut says the victim is a new mom.

In fact, Maya Sinai says, her purse was filled with gift cards from her recent baby shower.

"It's very upsetting. you feel very violated," says Sinai.

It only took a matter of seconds before the young mother's purse was stolen.

The video shows two well-dressed men entering around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. They walk next to the woman's table, and then one of the men uses his jacket to carefully conceal and snatch the purse on the back of her chair.

After taking the purse the men leave.

"They were very slick, so I think they really knew what they were doing and it wasn't their first time," Sinai says.

Sinai says she realized her purse was gone when she got up to leave a few minutes later.

She says the purse contained about $500 in cash.. and $2,000 worth of gift cards.

"We're just trying to get by, we're a young couple, we're building our life together," Sinai said, "and for this to happen it's just really, really upsetting."

Sinai hopes someone recognizes the thieves and says she learned a painful lesson.

"Keep what you need for that day, leave the rest at home where it's safe, and just keep it in sight," she says.

Santa Monica police say they typically see an increase in this type of crime during the busy summer months and ask anyone with information to give them a call.