Suspected Greenwich Purse Thief Busted

A Greenwich mother was enjoying Sunday afternoon playing in the Greenwich Commons playground with her children when she unsuspectingly left her handbag on a park bench.

According to a Greenwich Police report, the woman did notice a man sleeping on a nearby park bench. It was about 4 p.m. Dec. 27 when she noticed the purse was gone — as was the man.

“With the help of a relative she used the findmyphone app and the phone was located at the Greenwich Library,” according to police spokesman Lt. Kraig Gray. “She called police and officers responded to the library and took over.”

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The suspect was found hiding inside a library restroom with the purse.

The suspect, identified as Fermin O. Umana, 53, of 3 Widgeon Way, Greenwich, told police he found the purse in the park and intended to turn it into police. Police said that inside of walking across the street to police headquarters, he walked several blocks to the library instead.

Umana was charged with fourth-degree larceny. Gray said the contents of the handbag were intact. Umana’s bond was set at $500 and he’s scheduled to appear Jan. 4 in state Superior Court in Stamford.