Pickpocket suspect in custody

CENTER CITY - May 28, 2009 - (WPVI) -- A young woman wanted for a pickpocket theft in Center City Philadelphia has turned herself into police.

Authorities say Ciera Britton, 19, turned herself in to Central Detectives with her lawyer on Wednesday.

On May 20th, Action News aired surveillance video that shows two female pickpockets at work.

It happened at a cafe at 21st and Chestnut. They very quickly identify their victim, a woman with her back to them, talking to another person.

That seems to be exactly what these pickpockets were looking for: A woman distracted and her purse out of her view, hanging on the back of her chair.

A woman in blue eyes the purse thoroughly several times. Then, she reaches in and takes a credit card from the woman's purse, then quickly pretends like nothing happened.

She then puts the credit card in her pocket book, and soon hands it over to her friend.

Soon the women are off, and the victim still has no clue what just happened to her.

After the crime, the stolen card was used at a Nordstrom's store.

Detecives say Action News viewers gave them info that lead to Britton's arrest.

Police are looking for the other female involved, who is only described as a juvenile.

Officers say they may be linked to other crimes in the city.

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