A newly recruited police officer helped nab a suspect accused of stealing a purse from a 26-year-old woman walking on Virgil Street in Stamford late morning on Tuesday.
Keeon Westin, 24, grabbed the woman from behind, yanking her purse from her shoulder and snapping the strap, police said. He ran from the scene with her purse toward some houses on the street.
Someone found the purse shortly after, however the cash that was inside had been stolen, police said. There is no word on whether the cash has since been found.
Police reviewed video surveillance.
On Wednesday, a field training officer and a new recruit were driving on Hoyt Street when Rookie Officer Daniel DeRocco saw a man matching the description of the suspect in the video. They detained him in front of the Stramford courthouse and took him into custody, police said.
Westin, whose last address is a homeless shelter, confessed to the crime. Police charged him with third-degree robbery. His bond was set at $10,000.
