SAMARITAN HELPS POLICE RECOVER PURSE SNATCHED FROM DAY REPORTER IN NL

New London — A good Samaritan helped police apprehend a man accused of snatching a purse from a Day reporter on State Street Tuesday evening, police said.

Kimberly Drelich said she was walking from her home back to The Day when she heard loud footsteps quickly approaching around 5:15 p.m.

Drelich, who was near Thames River Greenery at 70 State St., said she turned to look at the same time the man snatched the purse from her shoulder. She grabbed for the purse but couldn’t get it back, she said.

Drelich, whose phone was in the purse, began shouting that the man had stolen her purse, at which point bystander Ben James began chasing him.

James said he had just gotten out of his car, which he had parked near the Greenery, when he heard Drelich shouting.

“I saw a man run past my car carrying the purse,” James said. “He bolted across the street and I started running. It was just a reaction.”

James said he tried to grab the purse once, at which point the man turned around, squared up with James and told him not to get involved.

James said he backed off but used the lull to call police. James said the man began running again when he saw James put the phone to his ear. James again gave chase, this time giving police a play-by-play of where the man was going.

Drelich said she followed behind the men, who had turned onto Eugene O’Neill Drive, but stopped when they crossed the road and went toward Masonic Street. Two drivers pulled over to see whether she was OK; one of them also called 911.

James said he slowed up when the man turned from Masonic into a dark alleyway. About the same time, a dispatcher told James police had spotted the man.

Police said they apprehended the man, Michael A. Albert, 39, of 325 Huntington St., behind 7 Gov. Winthrop Blvd.

Police charged Albert with third-degree robbery, second-degree breach of peace and second-degree larceny in connection with the incident.

Police said Albert was arraigned in New London Superior Court Wednesday morning.

Police presented James with a department challenge coin for his “commendable civic deed,” Capt. Brian Wright said.

James, who used to live in New London but now lives in Salem, said he was “a little overwhelmed” by the honor.

“I didn’t feel I did anything special,” he said. “I just chased the guy.”

Drelich, who said she typically is wary of her surroundings, hadn’t experienced something like this in the city before. She plans to carry her phone in a pocket from now on.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the good Samaritans and the police who came to my aid,” said Drelich, who covers Groton for The Day. “It’s touching to see people stepping up to help a complete stranger.” 8:50 a.m., Darryl Morin, 36, of Chaplin, became combative with corrections staff after displaying disoriented behavior in a dining hall and running from an officer who tried to approach him.

After Morin began to run, several corrections officers assisted in trying to detain him.

Six officers, according to DOC, were then exposed to and tested for possible exposure to blood borne pathogens because of the altercation. Of those six officers, two suffered injuries: one a torn ligament in his thumb; the other, a back injury.

Additional details of the altercation between Morin and staff were not detailed by DOC Wednesday.

Morin was then taken to an area hospital and was admitted for treatment. Due to patient privacy regulations, DOC would not disclose the nature of injuries he sustained.

Morin was admitted to Corrigan Monday after he failed to post a $25,000 bond on charges of second-degree larceny and interfering with a police officer in connection with allegedly stealing a car in Chaplin earlier this week, state police said.

Around 5 p.m. Monday, state police said someone called to report that a man, later found to be Morin, had waved down their car asking to be driven to state police headquarters. Morin told the driver that he had arrest warrants.

Morin then stole the victim’s car and drove off with it, state police said.

A trooper responding to the call spotted the stolen car as he approached the area and stopped Morin.

During the stop, state police said Morin became combative with the trooper and was tased and handcuffed after attempting to reach into his pocket. Police later seized a knife from that pocket.

Morin was transported and evaluated at Windham Hospital as a precautionary measure. The vehicle was later returned to the victim, police said.

The Department of Correction and the Connecticut State Police are continuing to investigate Tuesday’s incident at the prison.

Montville — State police

Juan M. Rodriguez, 48, of Bronx, N.Y., was charged Tuesday in East Lyme with theft of license plates, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of plates and driving without minimum insurance.

Megan Dydo, 29, of 8 Summer St., New London, was charged Tuesday in Norwich with second-degree failure to appear in court.

New London

Rasheed Avinger, 25, of Boston, Mass., was charged Tuesday with criminal violation of a protective order, second-degree breach of peace and interfering with a police officer.

Julio Colon, 38, of Willimantic, was charged Monday with two counts of second-degree failure to appear in court.

Eric K. Smith, 46, of 10 Reuven Drive, Ledyard, was charged Monday with using a cellphone while driving, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving with a suspended license.

Bobbie Jo Viger, 48, of 1596 Route 85, Oakdale, was charged

Taylor Z. Stevens, 20, of 54 South A St. was charged Wednesday with breach of peace and criminal mischief.

Corey McCassin, 21, of 252 Old Canterbury Turnpike was charged Wednesday with disorderly conduct and unlawful restraint.