Oklahoma City Police issue warning about giving money to panhandlers on side of road

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH)--The Oklahoma City Police Department said last week that they were looking for two women who were stealing from a mall in Oklahoma City with a small child.

Investigators from their Organized Retail Theft Unit now believe that the two women in that post are part of a larger group who have stolen millions in merchandise from across the country and panhandles at a number of locations throughout the Oklahoma City metro.

They said that several of these individuals are asking for money on street corners, and many of them have young children with them.

Police are warning about giving money to someone who is panhandling on the side of the road.

They said that there are organizations throughout Oklahoma City who help the homeless population and to reach out to them if you want to help.