Milford Woman Accused of Stealing Orange Restaurant Employee's Purse

Orange police say Melissa Johnston, 32, of Freeemont Avenue in Milford, is accused of stealing an Outbeach Restaurant employee’s purse as she went to pick up a take-out order.

Officers responded to the Outback Restaurant on December 20 in regards to a theft. Officers learned that Johnston had come into the restaurant to pick up a take-out order, police said.

On her way out, she reached behind the cash register and grabbed an employee’s purse, then ran to her car, police said.

The employee was able to stop her and retrieve the purse before the arrestee could get away, police said. Officers found the arrestee at her home a short time later. She was subsequently taken into custody and charged with attempt to commit sixth-degree larceny.

She was released on a promise to appear in Superior Court, Derby on Jan. 7.