On June 14, Branford police caught two New Haven juveniles involved in a Madison purse stealing earlier that day but had to break off pursuit of a stolen vehicle also connected to the crime. Both juveniles, arrested after a foot chase at Branford Walmart, were found to have been arrested previously for related crimes, including one involved in an incident taking place within the past 24 hours. The other juvenile was wearing a GPS ankle monitoring unit.

In a press release issued by Branford Police Department (BPD), on June 14, BPD was notified of a stolen purse incident in Madison involving suspects operating a Kia SUV, and, in Clinton moments after the theft, the suspects “used or attempted to use” stolen credit cards from the purse.

As described by BPD, “These same suspects then came to Branford, where an alert citizen noticed the vehicle driving around the Walmart parking lot. The citizen noticed the vehicle, the same Kia SUV, was driving in circles in the lot with a smashed-out window, and the occupants were wearing masks.”

BPD reported the vehicle then engaged responding officers in a pursuit, which was broken off. When the vehicle was relocated a short time later, “...officers attempted to stop the vehicle a second time. The vehicle began driving recklessly, including driving through yards, to avoid apprehension. Given the nature of the incident and the circumstances, officers were not allowed to pursue the vehicle; therefore, the pursuit was terminated,” stated BPD.

However, police learned that two of the suspects were still inside Walmart, which is located at 120 Commercial Parkway.

“After a brief foot pursuit, both occupants were placed into custody and identified as juveniles out of New Haven. The juveniles had stolen numerous items from Walmart,” police stated. “Both juveniles have been arrested in the past for related crimes. One was wearing a GPS ankle monitor, and the other had been arrested within the last 24 hours for a similar incident.”

Branford police also confirmed the Kia SUV engaged in both pursuits was the same vehicle used in the Madison theft incident “...and that one of the juveniles in our custody was the one who stole the purse from the victim’s vehicle.”

The juvenile, seen on video conducting the crime, was also arrested by Madison police at Branford Police Headquarters. Branford police charged both juveniles with conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, sixth-degree larceny, and interfering with an officer.