The thefts were reported between 8 and 9 a.m.
In both cases, the mothers had left their vehicles unlocked with their purses being able to be seen in the passenger seat.
“I’m sure they were in a hurry. You’re worrying about your kid, you’re worrying about getting to work,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck. “A lot of people they’re in a hurry, they don’t lock their door.”
Streck said they suspect the same person or group of people are responsible for the crimes.
“Thieves prey on people,” the sheriff said. “There’s always going to be people that are trying to profit off of others.”
Both women had credit cards in their wallets that were used a Kroger stores in Centerville and Springboro to rack up combined charges of more than $3,000, the reports show.
In at least one of the cases, someone used the stolen credit card to purchase prepaid debit card.
Surveillance cameras at the Kroger on South Main Street in Centerville showed the suspect was a black male wearing all back clothing with white lettering. The man also had a black baseball cap pulled over his face.