Purses being stolen at major hypermarkets

Doha • LuLu Hypermarket on D-Ring Road has been of late witnessing a spate of thefts of purses and handbags, causing the store to increase security measures.

While Ramadan is supposed to be a time of introspection and consideration, the sticky-fingered types are at work taking advantage of the shopping rush. With Eid Al Fitr approaching, criminal elements are expected to have a field day in major stores here.

Till date, a woman and her daughter have been arrested by Mesaimeer police after being caught on tape by security cameras, according to Zainal Abideen, LuLu Hypermarket General Manager.

This newspaper has received a rash of complaints from readers who have fallen prey to the thieves. It is also a hot-button issue on the qatarliving.com website.

Mehreen Hasan, who lost QR1,100, told The Peninsula yesterday: "On September 4, I hung my handbag on a trolley and started filling it up with different items. Due to the poor working of the wheels, it was hard to push the trolley. To save myself from exhaustion, I started taking frequent stops, leaving my purse hanging on the trolley and my bag became an easy target. Taking full advantage of the situation, someone very conveniently took out my wallet though I must admit it was entirely my fault."

She immediately reported the matter to the security staff. "They took prompt action, checked the camera recordings and alerted all the guards, but all in vain. In the staff office, I met another lady whose handbag was also stolen just 20 minutes before. She too was bewildered and shaky. Something like this was totally unexpected in the Holy Month of Ramadan."

Hasan, who holds a part-time job, said: "I lost QR1,100 in cash. I do not know how much the other lady lost, but she said she had documents like her passport and cellphone in the bag. Her money and the mobile phone were taken."

Hasan went to Mesaimeer Police Station, where she registered her complaint and police noted down the details of the contents of her purse. LuLu officials did not accompany her to the station but were in constant touch with Hasan.

Hasan said she had heard from friends about incidents of purses being stolen at other major stores here as well. "I have heard purses stolen at Carrefour have been found in the LuLu parking lot," she said.

Abideen said: "A mother and daughter, Arab nationals, were caught with the help of our security cameras. We have now installed more cameras and added extra guards. This is a problem that seems to occur mostly during Ramadan as people take advantage of the rush of shoppers."

Shoppers these days would be best advised to follow Mehreen Hasan's cue. As she said: "From now, I will make sure my handbag remains on my shoulder."