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Police: Thief Stole From Wheelchair User On MBTA Bus

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) -- Transit police are asking the public for help to find someone who stole from a woman using a wheelchair.

Officials said the theft occurred on March 23 at about 3 p.m. while the wheelchair user rode the MBTA Route 1 bus.

The male subject was standing right next to the victim and timed the theft so he could flee when the bus stopped at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Sydney Street in Cambridge, police said. Other riders started yelling when they saw him take the woman's bag containing food stamps and cash.

"It's a disgusting act," Transit Police Lt. Richard Sullivan told WBZ NewsRadio 1030. "We're judged by how we protect the most vulnerable citizens among us and this right here was captured on video."

Police are seeking a Hispanic man, about 5 feet, 4 inches tall, who wore a black hooded sweatshirt, a waist-length black leather jacket, blue jeans, black shoes and a black face mask.

wheelchair thief
Police say this man stole from a person using a wheelchair (Photo credit MBTA Transit Police)

A surveillance image has been released and anyone with information is asked to call police.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports: 

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