On Monday, the Hays Police Department was receiving reports of a woman stealing purses out of shopping carts and billfolds out of those purses at businesses on the north end of Hays. Police said the woman had used information from one of her thefts and went to the residence of the victim and attempted to enter the victim’s house. The HPD said it believes she did not enter after hearing someone else at home inside the residence.

Officers obtained surveillance video from the businesses, and photographs of the suspect were sent out in a media release. The police department media release asked for assistance in locating and identifying the woman committing the thefts. Immediately after the release went out, the police department started receiving information from people saying who they believed the woman to be.

Shortly after the media release, Officer Ryan Blecha located the woman’s vehicle. The woman allegedly was in the process of breaking into another house when officers located her. The woman was identified as Alicia C. Brull, 29, of Hays.

Police said Brull was in possession of stolen property when she was arrested. The stolen property has been recovered. Brull is currently being housed in the Ellis County jail.

“Brull is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law,” the HPD said in a news release Friday. “The Hays Police Department would like to remind people to keep an eye on their billfolds, purses, gifts and valued property items. We would also like to thank the community for their assistance in calling in information to the police department.”