The Livermore Police Department has issued a warning for those frequenting the Tri-Valley area locations. According to a Facebook post from the department, there has been a noticeable spike in incidents where wallets were swiped from unguarded shopping carts, or purses left agape while unsuspecting customers perused the aisles.

With the In-N-Out near Oakland airport and a nearby Denny’s shuttering their doors, citing crime and safety issues as the culprits, it seems even the more affluent suburbs aren't immune to the trend. As SFist reported, neighborhoods typically seen as secure enclaves are now facing their own criminal nuisances.

The police, in shedding light on the sneaky pocketbook pickings, have offered a smattering of tips to foil potential thieves. They advise to remain on high alert, especially during the bustle of peak shopping hours, and to keep belongings either snugly in a front pocket or within a well-sealed bag clasped close to the body. Distracted by the endless array of organic quinoa and kombucha, shoppers are reminded to anchor their focus and listen to their gut if they witness any sketchy behavior — and not to hesitate in reporting it.

While Trader Joe's locations in the East Bay, spanning Castro Valley, Danville, Pleasanton, and San Ramon, haven't been explicitly named as the crime scenes, the advice from the police rings universally applicable. KRON4 echoes the sentiment with a reminder to keep wallets close and distractions, such as the siren call of your smartphone, at bay while navigating the grocery store.

The Livermore Police Department's appeal aims to maintain the carefree and community-centered ambience that Trader Joe's has long cultivated, despite the recent string of light-fingered larceny.