The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Police/Courts

February 8, 2010

Alleged victim, police chase purse theft suspects

By Amelia A. Pridemore

Someone reportedly stole a woman’s purse and drove away — and both police and the alleged victim chased the suspects, police said.

The incident at the Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital parking lot was reported around 6:10 p.m. Sunday. Beckley Police Cpl. Roy Redden said city police were told a woman’s purse was stolen, and the suspect fled in a blue Ford Mustang.

The alleged victim followed the Mustang north on Stanaford Road, Eisenhower Drive, then Robert C. Byrd Drive, Redden said. In Bradley, both vehicles turned onto the Interstate 77 on-ramp. The suspect vehicle passed through the toll booth and headed south, Redden said. The alleged victim stopped there.

Redden said police then combed the Harper Road area, and Cpl. J.D. Perry found the suspect vehicle at the Harper Road BP station. Redden arrived second. Three people, two women and one man, were inside the vehicle. Redden brought out his dog Vinnie for officer protection.

Eventually, several more city officers and Raleigh County sheriff’s deputies arrived, Redden said. The three were taken into custody without incident. The suspects were detained as of Sunday evening, and they were being questioned.

The alleged victim told police the suspects threw something out the window during the chase, Redden said. Deputies and city police were searching the area Sunday evening.

Redden noted he and Vinnie found 1 to 2 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the suspect vehicle. Property the alleged victim has identified as her own was also found in the suspect vehicle, Redden said.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com

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