Cedar Rapids police ask for public assistance in finding identity theft suspects

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is looking for public assistance in obtaining public info about a purse theft from a northeast side department store that later led to a series of illegal purchases.

According to a media release from the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the two women who are suspected of stealing the purse then used credit cards from that purse to make purchases at several stores in Cedar Rapids and Marion. Police say the theft occurred in July 2017 and the suspects may have driven to the stores using a silver minivan.

Surveillance photos of the two suspects and the silver minivan have been provided by the police and are attached to this artice.

Police are urging those who can identify the individuals in the surveillance photographs to call the Cedar Rapids Police Department at (319) 286-5458 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME (272-7463) or

text CRIMES (274637) and in the message/subject, type 5227 and your tip. According to the release, you can continue to trade information with an investigator. Text STOP to opt out at any time. For those calling

in info, police ask that they reference case #2017-11531.