Gang of Teens Charged in Purse Snatching

RIO GRANDE– On Dec 17, at approximately 9pm, Middle Township Police received a “911 call” reporting four individuals dressed in black “snatched a purse” from the shopping cart of a female exiting ShopRite in Rio Grande. Immediately, patrol units arrived on location.
The victim told Patrolman Kurt Saettler that she and her friend were exiting ShopRite, walking towards the parking lot pushing a cart of groceries. The victim watched four people sitting outside the entrance of ShopRite. The group then approached from behind and took one purse from the shopping cart. The group was unable to take the other purse due to it being strapped to the shopping cart. They then stated the group fled on foot towards the back of ShopRite.
With the assistance of witness cooperation, Cpl. Fran Fiore apprehended two of the suspects behind Frank’s Famous Pizza, located in the area of Lowes.
Through investigations by the Patrol Division and the police department’s Major Crimes Unit, the other two suspects were identified and subsequently arrested. The purse some items belonging to the victim were recovered, scattered throughout the area of the 100 and 200 blocks of Linden Lane. However, the victim’s GPS and a digital camera has sill not been located.
The victim told the Herald that she called ShopRite about the incident and was told “it is not our job to provide security, It is our job to provide groceries.”
Representatives from ShopRIte’s corporate offices were not immediately available for comment.
The victim added that although “things could be replaced, my peace of mind has been taken away.”
As a result, Demetrio Anderson, Jr.,18 , residing at 123 West Main Street, Whitesboro was charged with theft and conspiracy to commit theft.
Also charged with the same crimes were three juveniles, two males and one female, all from the Whitesboro section of Middle Township.