K-9 Zeus Tracks Down Purse-Snatching Suspect: North Haven Police

NORTH HAVEN, CT — North Haven Police Officer James Brennan and K-9 Zeus quickly tracked down a suspected purse snatcher, who was found sitting on a back deck sorting through the victim’s gift cards, late Wednesday night.

At about 11:50 p.m. on Aug. 24, a North Haven police officer was flagged down by a victim who reported that her pursue was stolen from a vehicle while parked in the lot of a Maiden Lane business.

The victim and another party reported seeing a white male subject walking through the parking lot just prior to leaving their vehicle unattended, according to police.

When they returned, they discovered that the purse was missing from the vehicle.

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Officer Brennan and K-9 Zeus responded to the scene and initiated a track from the vehicle.

Zeus tracked into a backyard of a Peck Street home and located the suspect sitting on the back deck sorting through the victim’s gift cards, according to police.

Police said the purse was also nearby on the deck.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident. He was identified as Frank Chialastri, 32, of North Haven.

Chialastri was charged with second-degree burglary and fourth-degree larceny. He was held on a $10,000 bond pending a court appearance in Meriden Superior Court.

Image via Shutterstock

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