$10K Costco Pharmaceutical Theft Goes Wrong: Port Chester Police

PORT CHESTER, NY — Police in Port Chester were already on to a pair of suspected thieves before they targeted a local store, but that didn't stop the pair from making an ill-fated attempt at escape.

The Port Chester Police Department said early Tuesday that they were alerted last Thursday night to a stolen vehicle that had entered the village. Officers found the car in the Costco lot unoccupied. As police investigated where the occupants had gone, a woman was spotted exiting the side of the store with a "very large amount of pharmaceutical products."

When officers confronted her, she managed to enter the vehicle and flee. Police say that a short pursuit ensued but was eventually called off due to her recklessness and high speed.

A short while later, Port Chester police were alerted that the vehicle was behind the Marriott hotel.

With the help of the Rye Police Department, the exits were blocked and the vehicle was found in the parking lot with the driver inside.

Police tried to speak with the driver but she refused to cooperate. The woman then drove up onto the grass through the rear yard in an attempt to escape, nearly hitting a police officer and K9 Mac. She then drove through bushes and small trees in an attempt to flee again.

After the second pursuit continued onto I-287, the driver exited in White Plains and proceeded onto the Hutchinson River Parkway.

The stolen vehicle then hit a guardrail and was disabled. With the help of the Westchester County Police Department, the 28-year-old driver from Queens was taken into custody.

While all of this was taking place, Port Chester police were alerted to a second suspect fleeing Costco on foot with additional pharmaceuticals. This 31-year-old Queens man was also taken into custody.

Police say that the two suspects were responsible for the larceny of an estimated $10,000 of pharmaceuticals.

Further investigation showed a large number of power tools in the stolen vehicle, in addition to high-priced clothing, all of which police believed to be stolen property.

Both suspects were arraigned in Rye Town Court and were then released pending future court dates.

"Unfortunately this incident ended with a pursuit," Port Chester police said. "We strive to engage suspects, and or block in the vehicles, to avoid any issues with a pursuit where the public or officers are put in danger. Luckily, this incident ended with no injuries to officers or the public, and the proceeds recovered, and suspects taken into custody."