Wallingford Police Arrest Purse-Snatching Suspect

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Terryville man is accused of stealing the purses of two elderly women in the Stop and Shop parking lot on North Colony Road in separate incidents in March and April.

Wallingford Police arrested James Murphy, 54, of 32 Prospect Street East in Terryville, on Friday in connection to the two purse-snatching incidents on March 24 and April 3, according to Lt. Michael Colavolpe.

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Colavolpe said surveillance video showed that the suspect would wait in the Stop and Shop parking lot, at 930 North Colony Road, for an extended period of time, waiting for an elderly female to return to their vehicle.

In the March 24 incident, the 81-year-old victim had just finished loading groceries into the trunk of her vehicle. As the victim started the vehicle, the suspect opened the passenger side door and took the victim’s purse which was on the front seat, Colavolpe said.

In the April 3 incident, the 86-year-old victim had just finished loading groceries into her vehicle. As the victim was getting into the vehicle, the suspect reached in and grabbed the victim’s purse.

Colavolpe said neither victim suffered any injuries during the theft, however, both were shaken up. In both incidents the suspect got away with a small amount of cash.

The suspect description was the same in both incidents and the second victim was able to get a partial license plate.

Through investigative efforts, Murphy was identified as the suspect, according to Colavolpe.

On May 6, with the assistance of the Plymouth Police Department, Murphy was taken into custody at his residence without incident, Colavolpe said.

Murphy was charged with two counts of third-degree burglary and two counts of sixth-degree larceny. He was detained on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on May 20.

Pictured: James Murphy, 54, of Terryville / Wallingford Police Department