TRUMBULL — A New Haven teenager was charged Wednesday with stealing a purse from an unlocked car in Trumbull, marking a rise in similar thefts across the region, police said.
The 17-year-old suspect from Greenwich Avenue was apprehended after Trumbull Police executed an arrest warrant on Oct. 6.
The arrest followed an investigation into a Sept. 26 incident where a purse was snatched from a vehicle at a White Plains Road gas station around 3 p.m.
The victim reported their purse stolen while pumping gas and noticed a silver SUV speeding away.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage, which showed a silver Acura RDX, previously reported stolen in West Haven on Sept. 24, pulling up next to the victim’s car.
A suspect was seen exiting the Acura, taking the purse, and fleeing.
Collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, detectives identified the New Haven teen, who was already in custody for unrelated offenses.
Efforts to identify additional suspects involved are ongoing.
Charges against the teen include conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit larceny in the fifth degree.
Following arraignment, the teen was released on a promise to appear in New Haven Superior Court for Juvenile Matters on Nov. 18.
Authorities are advising the public to remain vigilant and report any related information to the Trumbull Police Department at (203) 261-3665 or contact 911 for crimes in progress.
