UPDATED Wednesday, December 5, 2012 --- 1:19 p.m.

Press Release from Janesville Police:

On December 4, 2012, Detective Mark Johnson arrested Travis Boerschinger for numerous counts of theft from person and attempted theft from a person.

The arrests stem from a series of purse snatchings that occurred on Janesville’s north side business district at the beginning of October.

The thefts occurred at: Sam’s Club, Movies 16, Americas Best Value Inn, Woodman’s, Boston Store, Walmart and Shopko.

Boerschinger is currently in custody at the Rock County Jail.

Arrested:

Travis J. Boerschinger
DOB: 07-13-1986
2523 Lucerne Dr.
Janesville, WI

Charge:

7 Counts of Theft from a Person SS943.20 (1)(a)(3)(e)
2 Attempt Theft from a Person SS939.32 (1) / 943.20 (1)(a)(3)(e)

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UPDATED Thursday, October 18, 2012 --- 7:04 p.m.

Press Release from the Janesville Police Department:

The Janesville Police Department has responded to numerous reports of purse thefts since October 5. The thefts have mostly been from shopping carts when purses were left unattended. These have occurred while the victims were shopping in the store, checking out at the register or in the parking lot getting ready to put merchandise in their car. In one instance the suspect(s) grabbed a purse from the victim's hand. These thefts have been primarily on Janesville's northside retail shopping area and one occurring in front of Bazingas Tavern on the southside.

The latest incident occurred at Shopko, today at 2:30 pm. The suspect fled with two purses he took from one cart. He is described as a: male, white, tall, wearing a red Wisconsin hooded pullover, black sweat pants, in his 20's.

In each instance the suspect has been wearing a black, red, or gray sweatshirt with the hood pulled up.

We encourage the public to take steps to prevent these thefts from occurring:
- Pay attention to your surroundings. Look for people just standing around and watching you or others.

- Report suspicious people to the manager of the store.

- Keep your purse on your body. Do not leave it loose in a shopping cart or on checkout counters.

- As you are walking to your car in parking lots, look around the area of your vehicle for suspicious people and look in your vehicle before getting in. Have your cell phone in hand as you walk to your car.

- Pay attention to specific features of suspicious people such as hair style, facial hair, tattoos, and other features that are not easily changed.

- If you see someone suspicious call 911 and stay on the line.

A photo of the suspect in a purse theft from Sam's Club on October 5 is attached.

Anyone with information on these crimes should contact the Janesville Police Department at 757-2244 or Janesville Area Crime stoppers at 756-3636 callers may remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000.00.

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Posted Thursday, October 18, 2012

Janesville Police are investigating a series of robberies targeting women. The latest incident happened around 10 p.m. Wednesday outside of Bazingas Pub and Grill. A woman told officers she was outside smoking when a man snatched her purse. It's the 4th purse-snatching in Janesville in a week and Police tell NBC15 they believe they are related.

Police say it started last Thursday night, October 11th. A woman's purse was snatched out of her cart at the Woodman's in Janesville. Around 11 a.m. the next day, a woman's purse was stolen at the Woodman's gas station.

On Tuesday afternoon, October 16th, a man grabbed a woman's purse off her shoulder outside of the Janesville Mall.

Anyone with information about this incident or any other crime is asked to call the Janesville Police Department at 755-3100 or Janesville Area Crime Stoppers at 756-3636.