Surveillance video catches thief sneaking up on women at L.A. Whole Foods

(FOX 11) - The Los Angeles Police Department is on the hunt for a brazen thief who was caught on surveillance video stealing women's purses from right under their noses as they shopped at a grocery store.

The thefts happened in September at the Whole Foods in the 6300 block of W. 3rd Street, but the video was released on Tuesday.

It shows a thief slowly approaching two women from behind while they are distracted, then reaching into their purses to steal their wallets.

FOX 11 showed the video to some shoppers at the Whole Foods Tuesday night.

"Oh my god he's not even two feet away, he's right behind her," said Annalee Belle. "It's beyond creepy, I mean this is supposed to be like a good neighborhood too, i think that's what makes it worse, you generally feel safe in a Whole Foods and that's terrible.

"Oh my God," said Lisa Diorio. "The fact that he's reaching in your bag and touching your personal stuff, and everything that I could have taken from me at any moment, it's scary."

Police describe the suspect as a 5"11 African American man between the ages of 30-40, and around 180 lbs. If you recognize him from the video, you're asked to contact LAPD immediately.