Alleged pickpocket lands in jail

Published 9:08 pm Sunday, March 8, 2026

As sneaky as a woman allegedly was in pickpocketing a jacket at the Ocean Beach Hospital, it didn’t take law enforcement long to catch her trail. The incident happened on Feb. 27, when a woman was at the hospital getting blood drawn.

The woman reportedly placed a jacket on a hanger, over another jacket, and snatched a worker’s belongings. She then fled from the hospital and was captured hours later by the Long Beach Police Department, and was identified as Cassidy A. Laffan, 41.

“Upon arrival, Laffan was already gone, and I met with [the alleged victim, who] explained to me that she had spoke with Laffan a couple times prior to the incident,” LBPD Officer Miranda West stated in court documents. “[She] demonstrated hanging her jacket up and that Laffan had placed her jacket on top of [hers].

“She observed Laffan moving the rack around but was unsure of what she was doing. Laffan allegedly went to the restroom and that’s where she removed $70 in cash and took [the alleged victim’s debit card],” West added.

According to court documents, staff at the hospital located the alleged victim’s wallet under a trash can. Along with the money and debit card, the alleged victim believed one of her forms of identification was also missing.

“While I was speaking with [the alleged victim], [a] staff member entered the room and advised us that the $70 has been recovered at a treatment facility by the name of Free by the Sea,” West said. “Laffan was currently a resident there.”

“I called the facility and spoke with one of the employees…whom advised me that Laffan admitted to her about stealing the $70 as well as a debit card which was in the process of being retrieved,” West added.

West was reportedly informed the debit card was hidden behind a bulletin board.

According to court documents, West requested assistance from Pacific County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dustin Eaton at the facility.

“Laffan admitted to stealing the debit card as well as the $70,” West said in court documents. “Laffan advised me of where she placed the wallet when she was asked. She was advised that she would be placed under arrest…”

“Laffan was very forthcoming and cooperative throughout the entire interview and contact,” West said. “Laffan was also advised that she was being trespassed from the [hospital].”

“I recovered the $70 in cash as well as [the alleged victim’s] debit card from the facility and it [was given back],” West added.

Laffan was booked into the Pacific County Jail for second-degree theft. She appeared for a preliminary hearing in the Pacific County Superior Court on March 2 and was released on her personal recognizance.