On Wednesday, October 6, 2024, Trumbull Police served an arrest warrant on a New Haven teen following a police investigation into the theft of purse from an unlocked vehicle that occurred back in September. Detectives followed several leads, and shared information with other law enforcement agencies, which lead to the identification of this seventeen (17) year-old-suspect of Greenwich Avenue, New Haven. This suspect was already in the custody of the Department of Corrections for unrelated crimes and was now being charged for his actions regarding this purse theft which has become an increasingly more frequent type of crime in recent months.
On September 26, at approximately 3:00 PM, Trumbull Police were notified of a purse that was just stolen from a victim’s unlocked car that was parked at the gas pumps of 950 White Plains Road. While the victim was pumping gas into their vehicle, they noticed the vehicle shake then observed a silver SUV exit the gas station property, onto White Plains Road, at a high rate of speed. The victim then checked inside of their vehicle and noticed that their purse had been stolen from the seat. No injuries were reported.
Trumbull police detectives investigated and observed surveillance footage showing a silver Acura RDX stop next to the victim’s vehicle where the suspect exited the Acura and stole the purse from the victim’s vehicle before fleeing the area. Detectives learned that the Acura had been reported stolen to the West Haven Police Department on September 24, and had also been involved in numerous other purse snatching incidents throughout the state. Detectives followed up on several leads and worked with other law enforcement agencies to determine the identity of this specific juvenile suspect, however police are working to identify the others that were also involved.
The teen was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the Fifth Degree. He was released to the custody of the court where he was arraigned and released on a Promise To Appear in the New Haven Superior Court for Juvenile Matters on November 18.
There has been a recent trend in these crimes where thieves use stolen vehicles to target unsuspecting victims by sneaking up, entering vehicles, and steal valuables. The Trumbull Police are asking the public to be vigilant and be aware of their surroundings. If anyone has information regarding this incident or related crimes to please contact the Trumbull Police Department at (203) 261-3665 or dial 911 for any crimes in progress.