Suspect Named In Violent Berlin CVS Purse Snatching: Police

BERLIN, CT — Berlin police said Tuesday a suspect is in custody in Florida in connection with a violent purse-snatching at a CVS store in Berlin last March that injured a 71-year-old woman.

The Berlin Police Department identified the suspect as being 25-year-old Paul Jeanerood, who was located in Florida recently.

Police said Jeanerood is in police custody in Florida, and he is awaiting extradition proceedings to Connecticut.

The BPD said the suspect is facing robbery and fraudulent use of a stolen credit card charges.

According to Berlin police, the incident happened on March 5 outside the Berlin CVS store at 1055 Farmington Ave., Kensington.

Police allege the suspect violently snatched a purse away from a 71-year-old woman there, resulting in her dislocating her shoulder "when her purse was forcibly taken."

Shortly thereafter, Berlin police said the suspect began using the woman's stolen credit card to make "multiple fraudulent purchases across numerous locations throughout Connecticut."

"An extensive investigation was launched by the Berlin Police Department’s Investigations Division," wrote the BPD in a release on Tuesday.

"Investigators worked diligently to obtain surveillance footage, vehicle descriptions, and transaction details from numerous retailers across the state. Through persistent efforts and inter-agency cooperation, a suspect was identified and linked to the crime."

The probe, police said, took the investigation to Florida, where Berlin worked with law enforcement officials down there to secure the suspect.

"This case demonstrates the Berlin Police Department’s commitment to victim justice and its effective collaboration with law enforcement partners across multiple states. The department would like to thank all assisting agencies for their support in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion," wrote the BPD on Tuesday.

Police said the investigation is still active and no further information is available.