Two thieves targeting a woman’s purse at a local grocery didn’t count on two members of the Broome County Sheriff’s Department who were also browsing the aisles.
The sheriff’s office was called at approximately 1:15 p.m. Saturday to the Weis Plaza on Upper Front Street in the Town of Chenango for two men accused of trying to steal a purse, according to a news release.
The release says two men from Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, 30-year-old James Theobald and 20-year-old Adam Esposito, entered the Weis Market and stole a purse from a female shopper. The woman screamed to alert others in the store. Capt. Frederick Akshar and Patrol Lt. Kathleen Newcomb — both of whom were off duty at the time — saw the men running away with the purse.
Akshar chased one of the men and tackled him to the ground. A bystander stopped the other suspect, according to the release. Both suspects were charged with five counts of grand larceny in the 4th degree and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance. They were sent to Broome County Jail without bail.
The sheriff’s office says the two had recently been released from Susquehanna County Jail for charges related to theft.
