A man is accused of preying on elderly women at a Cobb County Walmart, stealing unattended purses, authorities said.
De’Ondre Hutchins, 26, is on the run after Acworth police tried to catch him Thursday afternoon following a theft at the Walmart at 3826 Cobb Parkway, the department said in a news release. He was able to escape following a police chase, crash and multi-hour manhunt through the woods.
Police were notified that Hutchins visits that Walmart between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. so he can wait for potential victims to leave their purses in unattended shopping carts, the release said. When the opportunity presents itself, he’s accused of snatching wallets out of the purses or stealing the purse outright.
On Thursday afternoon, an officer tried to pull over his Honda Accord, leading to a brief chase, the release said. He crashed the vehicle near Lake Acworth Drive and Ragsdale Road, running away from the scene and prompting a multi-agency manhunt.
Cobb police and Georgia State Patrol troopers assisted in the search, but they were unsuccessful.
Hutchins is described as 5-foot-8, and police said he usually wears dark-colored clothing. Several law enforcement agencies in Georgia have active warrants for his arrest, and he’s also wanted in Alabama and Florida.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Acworth police at 770-974-1232.
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