MENIFEE ---- Riverside County sheriff's deputies were searching Monday for a man believed responsible for thefts at Target stores in Southwest Riverside County and San Bernardino County since Sept. 26.

John Payne, 30, of San Diego, is believed to have stolen DVDs from stores in Menifee, Murrieta, Norco, Mira Loma, Lake Elsinore and Upland.

Detective Glenn Johnson said the suspect walks in, "grabs a shopping cart, goes to the luggage area and picks up a big backpack."

He then fills the bags with digital video discs and walks out of the store, Johnson said. The suspect has taken thousands of dollars in merchandise, authorities said.

Payne was convicted of committing similar crimes in San Diego, authorities said. Payne is black, 30 years old, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. He drives a white, 1999 four-door Chevrolet Malibu, license number 5GYM093.

Deputies ask that anyone knowing where Payne is to call 951-201-0540.