Purse snatching victim relieved after Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies make two arrests
Carolyn Jones is relieved authorities have charged two men with snatching her purse out of a grocery cart at a Meijer store in Scio Township.
"I'm just now starting to settle down a bit," said Jones. "It's just nerve-wracking."
Ryan Frank Hall, 26, of Whitmore Lake, and Ryan Joseph Cole, 24, of Dexter Township, have each been arraigned on a charge of larceny from a person, according to Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies.
Jones, 66, of Canton was in the bottle return area of the Jackson Road store about 11 a.m. Aug. 12 when she put her purse in the grocery cart near a bag of cans.
Moments later - out of the corner of her eye - she saw a hand reaching into the cart.
A man carrying her purse ran to a nearby car, occupied by three other men, she said. He got into the rear passenger seat.
"These guys were brazen," Jones said. "They did it in broad daylight with a bunch of people around."
Jones, who had at least $150 in her purse, froze her checking account and canceled her credit cards, which was a hassle, she said.
She appreciates the work of investigators.
"I'm glad that they are following through and doing something about it," Jones said.
Hall is at Washtenaw County jail, held on $15,000 bond, jail officials said. Cole has been released on $15,000 bond.
Both are scheduled to return to court Aug. 25.
Comments
carolyn
Thu, Aug 27, 2009 : 3:22 p.m.
I am the victim in this story. Warning to all who use the bottle returns with outside entrances. There is no security camera or security personnel on duty. In future I definitely will not take anything with me into these areas, they are not safe. All grocery stores installing these returns should think twice about the safety of their customers. All they say is they are sorry.
Hilderomeo
Fri, Aug 21, 2009 : 10 a.m.
As a former police officer in another state, I can't tell you how many times we would need to respond to calls regarding purse snatching. 75% of the purse snatches occurred INSIDE a store, shopping mall at the food court, putting things into a car after shopping while the purse was left sitting in the cart, etc. I, too am glad the thieves were caught. However, PLEASE LADIES, use some common sense! An unattended purse, wallet, handbag, fanny pack, etc., is a prime target for theft. Keep these things on your person. Never let them out of your sight. And please, when putting things away into your car after shopping, put your valuable(s) INSIDE the car FIRST, preferably under the back seat on the passenger's side and lock the door(s) with your keys. THEN unload your cart in to your trunk or the back of your vehicle. I am confident this will alleviate much stress not only for you, but also allow our area officers to respond to more urgent and necessary calls.
nonyo
Thu, Aug 20, 2009 : 7:26 p.m.
I'm glad they caught the guys. I see women with purses in their shopping carts in every store I go into. Often they are open and someone could reach in and grab a wallet. It is a big mistake. Keep your purse at your side and closed.