Police are searching for a man said to be using children to steal women's wallets in Rock Hill.
Investigators said he's targeted female shoppers at Walmart as well other stores.
Police told NBC Charlotte the suspect gets a kid to distract the woman, and once her back is turned, he grabs her wallets out of her purse in the shopping cart. He leaves other contents like her phone and keys behind.
In two cases, the women had no idea what happened until they went to check out.
"It's scary. And it's sad at this time of year that people would do those kinds of things, it really is," one shopper said.
Police said the man is buying Visa gift cards, which can't be tracked, so it's been difficult to track him down. However, he was seen last month in a white jacket.
Some moms told NBC Charlotte crimes like this have forced them to shop more online and change their habits altogether.
"I don't carry a purse anymore," a mother said.
If you have any information about these incidents, call Rock Hill Police at 803-329-7277.