Southington Cops Looking for Purse-Snatcher

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington police said they are investigating three "purse snatching type crimes" that have taken place over the past week-and-a-half.

In two of the incidents, women had placed their purses shopping carts and, while loading items into vehicles, a man approached them and grabbed the purses. The man then climbed into a waiting vehicle and fled the area, police said.

In the third incident, a woman had parked her vehicle at a gas pump and left her bag on the front seat when heading into a store. Someone then entered the vehicle, took the bag and fled the area, police said.

In all three incidents the thief appeared to be a black male in his teens and possibly his early 20s, police said. The operator of the getaway car is also believed to be a black male, police said.

In two incidents, license plate information provided to police matches that of a stolen car, police said.

No injuries were reported in any of the three incidents.

They were at:

• Stop and Shop, 505 North Main St.
• Mobil, 1896 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike
• Target, 600 Executive Boulevard North

"These incidents are not isolated to Southington and Southington Police are working with other agencies

to prevent further incidents, identify the suspects, and to file charges," police said.

The following are suggestions to help prevent a purse snatching; 

• Be aware of your surroundings. 
• If you have an uneasy feeling about a situation, trust your instincts and leave the area. 
• If you are leaving a store and going to the parking lot and have an uneasy feeling, ask a store associate to accompany you. 

• Park in a well-lit area. 
• While in a store or parking lot, don’t leave your purse in plain view in the shopping cart.The best case scenario is that you leave your purse at home. 
• While shopping or loading your vehicle, don’t be distracted talking on a cell phone or listening to music on headphones. Again be aware of your surroundings. 
• Strap or tie the purse to the carriage before shopping.

Photo Credit: SPD

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