CHANDLER, AZ -- Police aren't sure what a man is doing with $10,000 worth of stolen makeup.
But they are asking for the public's help to identify the suspect who they say has stolen from East Valley Walgreens stores.
Chandler Police Det. David Ramer said the man, known as the "Blue Basket Bandit," has stolen from Walgreens stores in Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix, Ahwatukee and Chandler.
Ramer said that over the past two years the suspect has gone into the Walgreens stores, picked up a blue basket and gone to the store's cosmetic section where he removed various items.
Then the suspect would take Walgreens bags from his pockets and put the items inside, leaving the store without paying, Ramer said.
The thefts range from $300 to $700 each time.
Ramer said the suspect changed his appearance and used different vehicles for each theft, removing the license plate from the vehicle beforehand.
The suspect is described as a white male, 5 feet 4 to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build and brown hair.
The most distinctive vehicle used in the thefts was a white, flat bed pickup truck with wood fence sides around the bed of the truck and an unknown California license plate, according to Ramer.
He said detectives believe someone may recognize the suspect and vehicle.
Ramer said anyone with information on the suspect should contact Chandler police at 480-782-4130, or Det. Preston Pierce at 480-782-4335.
