Purse-Snatchers Drove At Victims In Parking Lots: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — Two victims had their purses stolen by the occupants of a stolen vehicle who drove at them in two different parking lots Monday afternoon in Wallingford, according to police.

Police responded to Walmart at 844 North Colony Road around 1:35 p.m. on the report of a silver vehicle in the area operating in an “erratic and unsafe manner,” according to Wallingford Police Chief John Ventura.

While responding to the incident, police received multiple 911 calls indicating that a person was struck by a vehicle inside the Walmart parking lot, according to Ventura.

Ventura said officers found that the person was a victim of a purse-snatching and had fallen to the ground when the suspects accelerated their vehicle while trying to take the purse from her, which they ultimately succeeded in doing.

“The vehicle involved in this incident matched the description of the erratic vehicle that patrol units initially were called to investigate,” Ventura wrote in a news release.

As police were investigating the incident, additional 911 calls were received indicating that a person was struck in the parking lot of Shop Rite at 846 North Colony Rd.

“Additional Wallingford Police officers responded to the scene and located an individual who stated that they just had their purse stolen and information obtained indicated the vehicle involved matched the description of the vehicle involved in the purse snatching at Walmart,” Ventura wrote.

Then, at around 1:45 p.m., police responded to Cumberland Farms at 906 North Colony Rd. on the report of a stolen vehicle. The victim told police that his 2017 Toyota Prius was stolen while he was inside Cumberland Farms.

“Information obtained from witnesses linked the theft of the Prius to the silver vehicle that was believed to be responsible for the previous two purse snatchings in the area,” Ventura wrote in the news release. “Wallingford Police Units located the Toyota Prius traveling on North Main St. Extension and attempted to stop the vehicle but it fled at a high rate of speed.

“The Toyota Prius was entered into the COLLECT system as stolen and was subsequently involved in multiple similar incidents in Hamden and Meriden.”

Meriden police arrested three juveniles Monday night in connection with two attempted purse-snatching robberies in the city. Police said the suspects were driving a Toyota Prius that was stolen out of Wallingford.

Wallingford police are investigating the incidents and anyone with information is asked to contact them at 203-294-2845 or visit the department’s website to leave an anonymous tip here.

“The Wallingford Police Department advises its residents to be mindful of their surroundings, especially in crowded shopping centers,” Ventura said. “Always lock your vehicle and keep valuables out of sight. When at the gas pumps, refrain from leaving anything of value on the seats and lock your vehicle while pumping gas.”

See also:

• Woman Dragged By Car In Attempted Purse-Snatching: Meriden Police
• 12-Year-Old Boy Assaulted, Robbed Of Cell Phone: Hamden Police