Female Pickpockets Target Shoppers in Cancún Supermarkets

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Within less than 24 hours, two women reported being victims of an alleged group of female pickpockets operating in Cancún supermarkets, specifically at Soriana Huayacán and Walmart Polígono Sur. The incidents, which occurred both inside the stores and in parking lots, involved thefts of wallets, cellphones, cash, and personal documents.

Theft at Soriana Huayacán

The first incident took place on the afternoon of August 15 at Soriana Huayacán, where a customer described how three women worked in coordination to distract her and empty her purse. According to the complaint, one of the suspects intentionally bumped into her shopping cart while another falsely claimed that “a tire was coming loose.” As the victim bent down to check, a third woman allegedly stole her cellphone and wallet without her immediate notice.

Hours later, the victim realized not only that her cash had been taken but also that one of her bank accounts had been drained. Her documents were later found at another Soriana location in Jardines del Sur, but without her cards, money, or phone. The victim publicly criticized the lack of security in the stores, stating that similar thefts had been reported by others under the same modus operandi.

Robbery at Walmart Polígono Sur

That same night, another robbery was reported in the parking lot of Walmart Polígono Sur. The same woman allegedly captured in the Soriana incident acted alone this time, breaking into a vehicle to steal documents, cash, and personal belongings.

According to the complaint, the daughter of one of the victims lost approximately 1,500 pesos in cash, her wallet, and her partner’s residency documents. Upon returning to their vehicle after shopping, they discovered the glove compartment and a backpack had been ransacked. Other customers at the supermarket claimed to have been similarly victimized, with some alleging that the same woman had threatened them with a firearm to prevent them from alerting police.

Public Outcry and Similar Reports

Social media posts about the incidents sparked numerous comments from citizens who claimed to have experienced similar thefts in commercial plazas in southern Cancún. Many pointed out that these groups take advantage of high foot traffic in supermarkets to act quickly and escape before being detected.

Authorities have yet to confirm whether the same individuals are responsible for all reported cases. However, the repeated descriptions of the suspects and their methods have raised concerns about organized theft operations in the area.