Authorities are scouring Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania for two thieves dubbed the "Birthday Bag Bandits," accused of making off with over $5,000 in goods from CVS stores, using a rather festive disguise for their loot. The Ambler Borough Police report that on the evening of April 3, these pilferers struck a CVS store at 272 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler, where they filled birthday bags from the store with about $1,200 worth of merchandise before fleeing the scene in a dark-colored sedan, as CBS News Philadelphia reports.

That same night, continuing their birthday-themed burglary spree, the duo hit another CVS approximately 35 minutes away, at 1034 2nd Street Pike in Richboro. Here, they replicated their heist, swiping roughly $4,000 in items—a haul that included over-the-counter medicine and other merchandise—before once again disappearing into the night, NBC Philadelphia details. This pattern of theft has prompted law enforcement to label the suspects with their current moniker, originating from the deceptive use of celebratory packaging to carry out their crimes.

While CVS is often seen as a mainstay for convenience and pharmaceutical needs, this string of thefts has disrupted the sense of security typically associated with these suburban locales. In response to the Richboro CVS theft, customers expressed their shock to Action News, with Joe Dombrowski remarking, "They could be making an awful lot of money legally, as smart as some of these people are." Acknowledging the increased prevalence of retail theft beyond city limits, he called for accountability and a rethink on the part of those considering crime, "It's ridiculous. They need to work for stuff and make the money and buy it."

Meanwhile, another local patron, Nancy Nowicki, emphasized her concerns about insufficient staffing levels at the Richboro store. "It's a shame that this happens," Nowicki told Action News, "The cashiers, there's only a couple. Maybe that's the problem, They need more people watching." These insights suggest the need for a reevaluation of store security protocols to prevent such incidents in the future. Law enforcement continues their search for the "Birthday Bag Bandits," and anyone with information is urged to come forward to help put an end to this birthday bag scheme.