Designer handbags stolen from city boutique

Over $19,000 worth of merchandise was lifted around 12 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, from a Birmingham boutique on the 300 block of East Maple.

The boutique owner reported the theft to police after she saw a customer hiding something in front of her waist when she left the store. Once the customer and her companion drove off in a gray minivan, the owners confirmed that multiple designer handbags were gone. 

Birmingham police say an investigation is ongoing.