LONDON, ONT. -- St. Thomas police are searching for a bold thief who stole an employee’s purse and then vehicle from a downtown business in daylight.

Police say the man entered the store about 4:30 p.m. Friday and started up a conversation with the employee.

They say when the employee went to leave work, she noticed her purse had been stolen, which contained the keys to her vehicle.

She then discovered the vehicle had been stolen.

Police found the vehicle Sunday morning and say it had struck a tree in Central Elgin.

They continue to search for a suspect.

He is described as white, tall, slim and unshaven. He is missing front teeth. At the time, he was wearing a blue jacket and darker jeans.