Middletown Police Arrest Woman for Alleged Theft of $3,500 Purse

A Manchester woman was arrested after she allegedly stole a purse from a patron at Mondos Restaurant in Middletown.

The victim contacted police on Feb. 8 to report that her purse was stolen and she suspected the woman sitting next to her at the bar had taken it, according to a police report.

Police caught up with the accused Jennifer Ann Norelus, 33, who admitted to being at the bar, but denied taking a purse. She didn’t have any stolen items on her person, according to police.

Officers reviewed footage from the restaurant’s surveillance system and saw what appeared to be Norelus taking the purse off the victim’s stool, according to a report.

Another angle showed Norelus walking out with the purse after a strong gust of wind separated it from her coat, police said.

Norelus had two non-working cell phones on her. She is suspected of using them to pretend to be in a conversation in order to not look suspicious, police said.

The purse location is unknown at this time, according to police. It is a black Prada purse valued at $3,500. Inside was $300 in cash, credit cards, and two smaller wallets worth $150 each.

The total value of the theft was estimated at $4,100.

Norelus was charged with third-degree larceny.

Image via Middletown Police Department Facebook page