Florida 'hugging bandit' arrested for allegedly hugging elderly men, stealing from them
03/11/2022 11:23 am PST
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (TCD) -- A 65-year-old woman known as the "hugging bandit" was arrested late February for reportedly hugging strangers and stealing from them.
According to a press release from the Clearwater Police Department, Kathy Stevens would "approach older men outside stores and pretend she knew them as she went to hug them." Stevens would allegedly pickpocket their wallets, personal belongings, and credit cards.
According to WFLA-TV, Stevens was nicknamed the "hugging bandit" in November 2021. Police say there were at least four incidents.
According to records, Stevens was arrested Feb. 18 and faces more than a dozen charges including multiple counts of burglary, fraudulent use of personal identification information, robbery by sudden snatching, unlawful possession of personal identification, unauthorized use of credit card, and fraudulent use of credit card. She remains held on just over $100,000 bond.
MORE:
