73-Year-Old Woman Left Injured, in Snow After Purse Snatching

An injured 73-year-old woman was lying in the snow outside her Shelton home and calling for help for almost half an hour after a man followed her home, stole her purse and tossed her to the ground, police said.

Police have identified Michael Dean, 55, of Derby, as the suspect and said he followed the victim home and into her garage.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, police responded to Coram Road after receiving a 911 call reporting that a woman had been robbed at her home.

When police met with the victim, she told officers she’d returned home after doing an errand in Derby, pulled into the garage and closed the garage door.

As she got out of her car, someone was behind her and grabbed her purse, throwing her to the ground.

The victim could not get up after the attack, but she managed to crawl out of the garage to try and find help. After around 25 minutes, a neighbor heard the cries for help and called police. EMS was also called to the scene to evaluate the victim.

Detectives canvassed the area where the victim had been before she was robbed and found outside surveillance video, which led to police identifying Dean as a suspect.

Dean was charged with first-degree burglary, third-degree robbery, second-degree larceny and second-degree assault of the elderly.

Dean is being held on a $100,000 bond. If he does not post bond, he will be arraigned at Derby Court on March 16.

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