FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2025
Suspect Steals Purse from Shopping Cart, Arrested Moments Later
Lynchburg, VA – At approximately 11:20 AM today, the Lynchburg Police Department received a report of a theft of a purse. An adult female was loading recently purchased groceries into her vehicle in a store parking lot in the 7800 block of Timberlake Road. At this moment, an adult male approached her and stole her purse from her shopping cart. The suspect fled the scene on foot.
By 11:25 AM, officers quickly located the suspect and placed him under arrest. He now faces one count of Grand Larceny under Virginia Code § 18.2-95.
The suspect has been identified as 45-year-old Lynchburg resident Lewis Anderson Banks. He is currently being held in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail, no bond.
The LPD would like to remind our community to be vigilant when shopping alone. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Always secure your most important belongings first when taking time to empty a shopping cart.
Anyone with information that may assist authorities in this case is encouraged to contact Officer Vickery at (434) 907-5978 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at http://p3tips.com, via the P3 mobile app, or by texting CVCS to 738477 to receive a link to the anonymous tip form. Please note that message frequency may vary, and standard message and data rates may apply.