Purse Snatchers Sought After Leading Police On High-Speed Chase

EAST HAVEN, CT — East Haven and Branford police are searching for several suspects who stole a woman's purse from a grocery store parking lot before leading police on a high-speed chase.

Officers were called to Stop & Shop at 370 Hemingway Ave. in East Haven shortly before 7:50 a.m. Saturday for a robbery report, East Haven police said in a news release. Investigators determined a person in a blue Kia Sportage took a woman's purse in the parking lot before fleeing.

According to police, investigators determined the Kia was stolen in Milford around midnight.

While at the scene of the first incident, a person reported spotting the Kia near Burr Street and Gerrish Avenue throwing items from the window. Officers responded and found several purses and backpacks, authorities said.

While searching the area, police spotted the Kia traveling east on Frontage Road onto Interstate 95 north toward Branford. It was later seen on Route 1 near Walmart in Branford, where it struck another car, authorities said.

After spotting police, the Kia's driver fled onto southbound I-95 at Exit 53. Police followed, but the chase was eventually terminated because the Kia was traveling at "dangerously high speeds," authorities said.

According to East Haven police, the Kia was later found abandoned in New Haven near Congress Avenue. Witnesses reported three men running from the vehicle.

Surveillance video from Stop & Shop also confirmed there were three men inside the Kia during the purse robbery, police said. According to authorities, the trio also attempted to steal a red Ford Explorer in the lot before the purse snatching.

Anyone with information should contact East Haven police at 203-468-3820.