COLUMBUS – Over a dozen central Ohio law enforcement agencies are investigating an increase in purse-snatchings by a ring of juveniles who steal the victims’ cars which are then used to commit crimes.
The investigation has been dubbed “Operation Game Over” because activity, which involves approximately 40 juveniles, appear to have been inspired by the video game “Grand Theft Auto, according to Columbus Division of Police spokesman Sgt. James Fuqua.
Authorities are concerned that the crimes have increased in violence since December.
From the beginning of December through the end of January, Fuqua says authorities have noticed a significant increase in the number of crimes involving juveniles stealing purses from solitary women and then stealing their automobiles, a large majority of which were found to have been used in additional crimes.
Investigators from over a dozen agencies have met and discussed the crimes and found that the same patterns of crimes were being committed by three connected groups of about 40 juveniles, Fuqua said.