ENFIELD, Conn. -- Police arrested a woman on Thursday accused in several purse-snatchings and caught on surveillance camera.

Karen Whitaker has been arraigned more than 100 times, and faces charges in two states.

Police told Eyewitness News that they believe Whitaker has snatched purses for about a year, including at least six times in Enfield.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Diana Rocco reported that police have called Whitaker a career criminal who has a long record in Massachusetts that includes six other warrants outstanding for her arrest.

Whittaker, 43, remained held in Massachusetts police custody overnight on larceny, identity fraud, forgery and shoplifting charges.

Police said she prayed on unsuspecting victims in grocery stores.

Lisa Bartley was at the Shaw's grocery store in Enfield when, within minutes, she said Whitaker charged more than $2,500 on her credit cards.

"I looked right at her, I looked away, (and my purse was) right there. I think she was so smooth, she just picked it up, and that's it," Bartley told Eyewitness News.

Police said that after snatching the purse, Whitaker would charge up as much as possible, often hitting up Best Buy stores and even trying to open new accounts in her victim's name. Police said Whitaker would purchase expensive items and try to sell them.

"It causes tremendous anguish for the people because they lose their personal effects, their IDs, their credit cards, their bank ATM cards. The crime then boils over and it's not just a larceny, but then you also have identity theft," Enfield Police Chief Carl Sferrazza told Eyewitness News.

Police said Whittaker was as caught after allegedly trying to open an account on Wednesday night in Holyoke, Mass., in one of her victim's names. Police said the clerk recognized Whitaker and called police.

Whitaker is also wanted in Pittsfield, Hadley, West Springfield, Springfield, East Longmeadow and Holyoke, Mass. She is also wanted in six recent snatchings in Enfield.

Bartley said it's not about the money, but an invasion of privacy.

"Everyone's like, 'I'm so sorry it was you.' It was so embarrassing, I could bawl," Bartley said. "It was personal, it was time, it was my kids' pictures, my library card, it was them knowing where my kid goes to school; It was definitely personal."

Police said many of Whitaker's victims were senior citizens. Investigators could not put a dollar amount on the alleged crimes, but said she has gotten away with tens of thousands of fraudulent purchases.

Whitaker has been arraigned more than 100 times on different charges and she remains held on $100,000 bond.

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