Crime: The Stain Game
"Distraction" crimes, the pickpocket's stock-in-trade, have taken on a distinctive flavor in Miami, New York City and Los Angeles. At airports, hotels and shopping malls, seemingly helpful strangers approach a "mark," point to a dribble of catsup on his or her coat, and offer a tissue to remove it. While the victim cleans up, a second thief cleans out the purse, briefcase or shopping bag.
How does the catsup get there? From those squirtable little packages conveniently available at any fast-food outlet. When police arrested three thieves in Bal Harbour, Fla., the pickpockets' car was filled with the tools of their profession: packets of catsup, white tissues and a sharp pinpoint punch.
Most Popular »
- No Churchgoing Christmas for the First Family
- How Christmas Is (Not) Celebrated in North Korea
- Israel vs. Hizballah: Drumbeats of War
- The Pentagon Prepares for a Missile Attack from 'Iran'
- Sherlock Holmes: Impressive Abs, Unmemorable Action
- Has the Alleged Fort Hood Gunman's Imam Been Silenced?
- China's Christmas Warning to Political Dissidents
- How Panera Bread Defies the Recession
- Why Brittany Murphy Is Worth Remembering
- Climate Change: How Fast Is the Earth Shifting?
- No Churchgoing Christmas for the First Family
- How Panera Bread Defies the Recession
- How Christmas Is (Not) Celebrated in North Korea
- Is Running Bad for Your Knees? Maybe Not.
- China's Christmas Warning to Political Dissidents
- Mexico City's Revolutionary First: Gay Marriage
- Climate Change: How Fast Is the Earth Shifting?
- Sherlock Holmes: Impressive Abs, Unmemorable Action
- Has the Alleged Fort Hood Gunman's Imam Been Silenced?
- Dubai: 10 Things to Do in 24 Hours
Top Stories on TIME.com
Quotes of the Day »
WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL, on a Nigerian man who tried to ignite an explosive device aboard a Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit Friday; officials say he wanted to bring the plane down but his attempt failed
RSS