Police: Wallet theft suspect targets doctor's offices | News

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - St. Matthews police need your help tracking down a woman they say is stealing people's credit cards. Police say she preys on her victims when they're most vulnerable - in their doctor's office.

Detectives say the woman they are looking for is a persistent felony offender and they need your help to find her.

"Right now, supposedly she is running the streets maybe staying with whoever," said Det. Harvey Hunt from the St. Matthews Police Department. "We are hoping someone will recognize her."

Police are looking for 35-year-old Karyn Merida. She's also gone by another alias, Julia Lambert.

Police are sharing surveillance video from the Jeffersontown CVS last week.

"She blends in pretty well, she dresses fairly nice," said Det. Hunt.

Police say Merida was trying to buy hundreds of dollars in gift cards with a stolen credit card. The purchases didn't stop there, police say she struck again at a Highlands CVS. Merida was allegedly using a stolen credit card that she took from an employee at Norton Suburban hospital to buy $600 in gift cards.

Her target victims...

"Going through the office buildings the doctors office stuff like that," said Det. Hunt. "Basically, it's a crime of opportunity."

Det. Hunt says Merida is a career criminal, since 2008 she has had 8 felony cases against her.

"She has been in and out of jail," said Det. Hunt. "As far as time that she has served? Obviously, not a significant amount that she has learned her lesson."

Police say Merida is from Louisville and has ties to Lexington, other states. There is really no telling how many people she has victimized.

Det. Hunt wants to warn everyone when you are at work, don't leave your purse or wallet lying around. Lock it up or put it in a safe place.

If you have any information regarding this case call St. Matthews Police at (502) 893-9000.

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