SUPERMARKET thieves have struck for at least the third time in the past week.

An Indonesian housewife lost her handbag to a thief on Wednesday evening at the VivoCity Giant supermarket.

The woman, who is in her thirties, was shopping for groceries with her family at about 7pm, and had placed her handbag in her trolley.

She subsequently walked away to select more items, leaving her trolley with her two children.

It was when she heard her four-year-old daughter crying that she hurried back to see what was the matter.

She then discovered that her handbag, which contained $50 cash, as well as her mobile phone and other personal belongings, had been taken.

According to her daughter, the thief looked to be a plump young man about 1.65m tall, and with a dark complexion.

The police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.