Shelton cops arrest man, woman in purse snatching

Mark Franklin
Jessica Rivera


By Patricia Villers
Register Staff
SHELTON - Two people have been arrested in last Tuesday’s purse snatching incident at ShopRite, 875 Bridgeport Ave.
Police this morning arrested Jessica Rivera, 32, of 236 Olivia St., Derby and charged her with robbery in the second degree and conspiracy to commit robbery in the second degree.
She is being held on $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Tuesday at Derby Superior Court.
According to police spokesman Lt. Robert Kozlowsky at approximately 12:30 p.m. last Tuesday(7-5) officers responded to ShopRite for a report of a purse snatching. A 37-year old female told police she was in the parking lot putting groceries in her vehicle when a male grabbed her purse from the shopping cart.
The male got into a vehicle while the victim attempted to get her purse back. The male sped off, dragged the victim approximately 20 feet and drove away. The victim was treated at the scene by EMS for minor injuries sustained from the incident, police said.
Police obtained a description of the driver and the female passenger in the vehicle. Kozlowsky said police also were able to develop a suspect vehicle, a bluish/grey Volvo stolen out of Ansonia.
Police learned that similar incidents occurred in Derby, Trumbull, and Stratford.
At approximately 4:45 p.m. Friday K9 Officer Chris Nugent was out on patrol when he spotted the suspect vehicle on Route 8 south by exit 12, police said.
Nugent followed the vehicle on the highway and attempted to pull over the stolen Volvo. The driver did not pull over and Nugent pursued the vehicle, police said.
The driver eventually lost control and crashed the vehicle into a light pole on Route 25 south.
The lone male driver exited the vehicle and ran into the woods. State police, Trumbull police, and Bridgeport police assisted in the search for the male driver.
The male, Mark Franklin, 44, of 236 Olivia St., Derby, was eventually located by Nugent and his dog Jager, and was taken into custody, police said.
Shelton, Derby, and Stratford detectives later executed a search warrant at Franklin’s residence. Several purses from the robberies were located.
Franklin was charged with larceny in the third degree (possession of the stolen car), engaging in pursuit, reckless driving, evading responsibility, and operating without a license.
Franklin was also charged with robbery in the second degree, larceny in the sixth degree, and conspiracy to commit robbery in the second Degree for the incident that occurred at ShopRite, according to police.
Franklin is being held on a $300,000 bond and was to be arraigned today at Derby Superior Court.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and another arrest may be made in this case.