Woman says thief tracked her down, attacked her after swiping wallet at mall

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — What began as a relaxing day of shopping became a nightmare for a metro Atlanta woman.

Not only did a thief victimize Miriam Zepeda at Sugarloaf Mills Mall, the same person allegedly snuck into her Lawrenceville home the next day and attacked her.

Police suspect it was the same man seen on security video wandering through the mall in early August.

Police said that at one point, the man reached into Zepeda’s purse after she hung it on a clothing rack and looked away.

“When I turned around, the guy took my wallet," Zepeda said.

Inside the stolen wallet was the woman’s home address and an extra house key. Police said the next day, the thief went to her house and snuck in.

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The woman said the man entered her home with the key in her wallet and attacked her.

“I just felt, like, a punch to the head. I tried to close the door very, very fast," Zepeda said.

But the stranger pushed back, trying to strike her again. She eventually fought him off.

“I just pushed the door with all my strength and closed the door," she said.

The intruder ran away.

Police said the suspect they are looking for is 25 to 35 years old. They are hoping someone will recognize him from the security camera video.

Officers said if someone steals your wallet and a home key, change the locks as soon as possible.

Cox Media Group