An off duty Shelton Police Officer chased down a suspect accused of stealing an elderly woman’s purse and fleeing into a nearby wooded area.
Officer Nicholas Ardizzone was pulling into the parking lot at Walmart on Bridgeport Avenue when he noticed a white male, later identified as 26 year old Shane Kral of Trumbull, running across the parking lot with a purse in his hands and an elderly woman pursuing him.
According to a statement from Detective Richard Bango of Shelton Police, Kral got into a black SUV and Officer Ardizzone followed him until he exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
Officer Ardizzone then ran after Kral and located him in the woods. Kral was detained and later placed under arrest. During the investigation, officers also located heroin in Kral’s possession, according to Bango.
Officers then spoke with the 70 year old victim who said she was parking her vehicle and when she exited she noticed Kral "hunched down behind her vehicle."
The victim added that Kral then “lunged” at her and stole her purse before running away. The victim did not claim to have suffered any injuries.
Kral was charged with robbery 3rd, interfering with an Officer, breach of peace 2nd Degree, illegal possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior court date on May 19 and is being held on a $25,000 bond.