Thief allegedly stole wallet -- leaving behind his birth certificate and a letter from his mother

A Southington, Conn., man who allegedly stole a woman's clutch wallet in Dorchester left his birth certificate and a letter from his mother behind at the scene of the crime, making him an easy target for police, the Boston police said today. Officers responded to the Harbor Middle School schoolyard at 11:54 p.m. Monday and spoke with a woman who said a man had followed her into the yard and then snatched her wallet, which contained her ID, Charlie Card, and $40 in cash, according to police.