An Auburn Hills woman is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she targeted two shoppers inside Rochester Hills grocery stores in a short span of time during the busy holiday shopping season.
Oakland County prosecutors have charged 37-year-old Lynsie Marion Leinenger with unarmed robbery, a 15-year felony, and larceny from a person, a 10-year felony. Leinenger was arraigned Friday in 52-3 District Court, where Magistrate Karen Holt set bond at $10,000 cash or surety and ordered her to return to court on December 23 for a probable cause conference. She remains lodged in the Oakland County Jail.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the first incident unfolded shortly after 8 p.m. at the Kroger store on South Livernois Road. Deputies responded to a report of a larceny and learned that a woman had grabbed a purse from a shopping cart and fled the store. The purse belonged to a 64-year-old Rochester Hills woman and contained a cellphone, wallet, necklace, and prescription medication.
Roughly 30 minutes later, deputies were dispatched to a Meijer store on Marketplace Circle for a robbery in progress. Investigators say the suspect description matched the woman involved in the Kroger theft. Inside the store, Leinenger allegedly grabbed another purse from a shopping cart and ran toward the back of the building.
The second victim, a 71-year-old Rochester Hills woman, pursued the suspect and struck her with a shopping cart, knocking her to the ground. A struggle followed as both women wrestled over the purse. Authorities say Leinenger ultimately pulled the purse free and attempted to flee, but fell again near the front of the store, injuring her knee. The victim recovered her purse, and deputies took Leinenger into custody at the scene.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard called the incidents a reminder for shoppers to remain alert, particularly during the holidays. He urged residents to keep purses secured and never unattended in shopping carts.
“This is a sad reminder that there are individuals who seek to prey on others – particularly the elderly – during the holiday season. We urge everyone to remain situationally aware, and we specifically encourage women to keep a close watch on their purses and never leave them unattended in shopping carts. We look forward to this suspect being held fully accountable.”
Court records show Leinenger has prior convictions for home invasion and uttering and publishing, further escalating the seriousness of the case as it proceeds through the criminal justice system.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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- NMD Staff
