Double Arrest in ShopRite Purse Snatching

On July 5 at approximately 12:30 p.m., responded to , located at 875 Bridgeport Ave., for a report of a purse snatching.The victim, a 37-year-old female, told police that she was in the parking lot putting her groceries in her vehicle when a male grabbed her purse from the shopping cart. The male got into a vehicle while the victim attempted to get her purse back. The male sped off and dragged the victim approximately 20 feet and the male drove away. The victim was treated at the scene by EMS for minor injuries sustained from the incident.

Police were able to obtain a description of the driver and the female passenger that was in the vehicle. Police also were able to develop a suspect vehicle, a blueish/grey Volvo that was stolen out of Ansonia. Police learned that similar incidents occurred in Derby, Trumbull, and Stratford.

Three days later on July 8 at approximately 4:45 p.m., K9 Officer Chris Nugent was out on patrol when he spotted the suspect vehicle on Route 8 south by exit 12. Officer Nugent followed the vehicle on the highway and then attempted to pull the stolen Volvo over. The vehicle did not pull over and Officer Nugent began to pursue the vehicle. The driver eventually lost control and crashed the vehicle into a light pole on Route 25 south. The lone male driver exited the vehicle and ran into the woods. State Police, Trumbull Police, and Bridgeport Police assisted in the search for the male driver. The male, later identified as 44-year-old Mark Franklin of 236 Olivia St. in Derby, was eventually located by K9 Officer Nugent and his dog Jager, and was taken into custody.

Shelton, Derby, and Stratford Detectives later executed a search warrant at Franklin’s residence. Several purses from the robberies were located.

Franklin was charged with:

• Third degree larceny for the stolen Volvo car
• Engaging in pursuit
• Reckless driving
• Evading responsibility
• Operating without a license
• Second degree robbery
• Sixth degree larceny
• Conspiracy to commit second degree robber

Again three days later, on the morning of July 11, Shelton Police Detectives made a second arrest in the case when they went to the home of 32-year-old Jessica Rivera, of 236 Olivia St. in Derby.

Rivera was the passenger in the stolen Volvo driven by Franklin. She has been charged with:

• Second degree robbery
• Conspiracy to commit second degree robbery

Franklin is being held on a $300,000 bond and will be arraigned at state Superior Court in Derby today.

Rivera is being held on a $250,000 bond and will appear at state Superior Court in Derby tomorrow, July 12.