Brazen Theft at LA Gas Station Prompts Police Warning for 4th of July Motorists

— -- With lower gas prices and air fares, AAA estimates a record-breaking 43 million Americans will be taking trips over the Fourth of July weekend.

Of course, as the barbecue beckons, it’s easy to daydream of sizzling hot dogs and beachside brews while filling up your gas tank. But drivers beware, this is prime time for thieves to sneak up and snatch your cell phone or purse, as one California woman learned the hard way.

Sara Weinstein left her purse in the car while she pumped gas at a Mobil station on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard in Los Angeles on June 28.

Her doors unlocked, Weinstein was completely unaware that just feet away, a thief was crouched down low, sneaking into the front seat of her car. Surveillance cameras stationed around the gas pumps caught the whole thing.

The video captures the thief, wearing a hat and glasses, as he rummages through Weinstein’s purse.

“They stole my wallet right out of the car as I stood by pumping gasoline in broad daylight!” Weinstein wrote in a post about the incident on her Facebook page.

A second man, who may have been acting as a lookout, then follows the thief over to a waiting car and the two flee the scene.

Los Angeles Police Officer Norma Eisenman had some tips to help travelers avoid similar thefts this weekend.

“Be aware of your surroundings. A lot of times, you have panhandlers. Make sure your doors are locked, remove your keys out of your ignition. It takes a hot second for somebody to jump in and pull off a discreet [theft],” Eisenman said.

The National Crime Prevention Council suggests picking gas stations that are well-lit and have surveillance cameras at the pump.

Anyone with information about the suspects seen in this video are encouraged to call 1-800-HOT-TIPS or the Los Angeles Police Department. There is a $5,000 reward in the case.