Woman’s Purse Stolen From Vehicle While She Pumped Gas At Stop & Shop: Wallingford PD

WALLINGFORD, CT — A 16-year-old boy was arrested after police said he was involved in the theft of a woman’s purse while she was pumping gas at Stop & Shop, and fleeing in a stolen vehicle that crashed and then stealing another vehicle Tuesday afternoon in Wallingford.

Another juvenile was involved in the incidents, but drove off and left the 16-year-old who was arrested behind, according to Officer Alex Torres.

Wallingford police responded to the Stop & Shop gas station at 930 North Colony Road around 1:50 p.m. on the report of a theft from a vehicle.

Police found that two male juveniles had left the scene after stealing a woman’s purse while she was pumping gas. The juveniles left in a Chevy Traverse that police later learned had been stolen, according to Torres. One suspect was wearing all black and the other was wearing all red, Torres said.

While searching the area a short time after the initial call, officers were dispatched to the area of South Main Street and Chester Avenue where the stolen Chevy Traverse had crashed, according to Torres.

“The juveniles crashed moments after a failed attempt to steal another vehicle at South Main Street and Green Street,” Torres wrote in a news release. “The juveniles then fled southbound on foot and were observed at the Audi dealership located at 800 South Colony Road. Moments later, a black Toyota Corolla was stolen out of Fabi’s Pizza at 560 South Main Street, located behind the Audi dealership.

“The juveniles then fled the area in the stolen Corolla southbound on South Colony Road into North Haven, and were observed by Officer Evans and Officer Ferrelli at the Citgo gas station located at 490 Washington Avenue. The juvenile dressed in black, who was in the driver’s seat, locked the vehicle doors and drove off, leaving the other juvenile behind, who was then apprehended.”

The 16-year-old juvenile was charged with second-degree larceny, third-degree burglary and first-degree larceny. He was issued a Juvenile Court Summons, released to a parent, and assigned a court date of July 26 at the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters in New Haven.