Tries to help, gets pickpocketed for her trouble

Yesterday, Jan. 26 at 4:20 p.m., I went into Border's Books at Woodfield. When I was walking out the door, a man started yelling that his hand was stuck between the door bar that you push to leave the store. He was yelling at me to help him by opening the door.

I thought it was strange, but he kept saying, "Help me and push the door open!" I did, and he moved quickly out the door. I then went across the street to meet my girlfriends at Olive Garden. When the bill came, I realized my wallet was gone.

I called the police and the officer met me at Border's. While I was waiting for him, I called the 800 number to report the theft. In that short period of time that RAT charged $2,000 at Macy's and $1,500 somewhere in Hillside on my Discover Card.

Inside Border's we viewed the surveillance tape from the store's camera. It was really creepy to watch. These two scum bags had been watching me and waiting for me to leave. When I left the store, the one had his hand in the door and his accomplice took my wallet and went back into the store and waited a minute and then left.

Needless to say, I've had to cancel all credit cards, bank accounts, and get a new driver's license. A HUGE hassle! Not to mention feeling so violated. However, as my wonderful dad always said, "It could be worse." I wasn't hurt, he didn't get my keys, or my entire purse.

Here's the lesson. If you want to be a "Good Samaritan", either call the police or the store manager. Keep your distance, if possible, when someone asks you for help.

Some advice you may want to pass on.

Leslie Wagner

Long Grove