Staying Vigilant

to steal a woman’s wallet in las cruces. it happened labor day at a walmart while the woman was buying ice. surveillance video shows suspect christian sanchez taking her wallet from under her arm, and then making a run for it. the 19-year- old victim ran after him … and eventually caught him. police would later say she gave sanchez several blows to the head. prosecutors recommended a petty misdemeanor count of larceny for sanchez. that video has our new mexico mobile newsroom asking, how easy is it for you to fall victim to a crime? abc-7’s jamie warren is live from our new mexico mobile newsroom with some tips to prevent that. jamie? rick and estela, we’ve all done it. i’ve done it. you’re walking along the street holding your wallet out in the open. then you pull out your phone. by now your hands are completely full. you’re distracted and you’re vulnerable to someone who wants to commit a crime. to prevent this, las cruces police say: – be aware of your surroundings at all times -don’t keep both hands full – carry your wallet in your pocket if possible today on the nmsu campus we saw a lot of students walking, their heads buried in their cell phones. some had earbuds in listening to music. we stopped a few of these students to ask them if they worry about appearing vulnerable. one student showed us the pepper spray she carries. others said they’re more vigilant, depending on the time of day. michael bennett, nmsu student 13:52:01 during the day not so much but at night time more often just you know just be more aware of surroundings at all lauren stone, nmsu student 13:56:21 since i carry a purse like i’ll be walking or we have like tailgates and football games sometimes i’m afraid i just walk like this because i’m afraid someone will reach in the back and get in my purse and i keep checking and that is also what police suggest if you’re carrying a purse wear it over your shoulder zipped up like this and close to your body. and the victim in that