Man Knocked Woman, 76, To Ground In Purse Snatching: North Haven PD

NORTH HAVEN, CT — A New Haven man is accused of knocking a 76-year-old woman to the ground during a purse snatching over the summer in North Haven, according to police.

Police said the robbery took place in July when the woman was walking from her vehicle to a Universal Drive restaurant when she was approached by a man.

The man, later identified as 22-year-old Rainford McKenzie from New Haven, grabbed the victim’s purse, knocking her to the ground, and then fled in a waiting vehicle, according to police.

Police said the victim suffered injuries from the robbery.

McKenzie’s two juvenile accomplices had been arrested in late 2024 in connection with the incident, according to police.

McKenzie was arrested Jan. 24 on charges of third-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit third-degree robbery, and conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny. He was being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond with a court date of March 14, according to state judicial records.