Purse Snatchers Run Out of Gas, Police Offer Lift

HYANNIS-  At approximately 6:15pm a woman walking through the parking lot at the Christmas Tree Shopping Plaza on Route 132 was confronted and had her purse stolen by a man wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.

The purse snatcher fled the area in the direction of Bed, Bath, and Beyond, where he eventually  jumped up into a red diesle pickup truck that was operated by an awaiting female getaway driver.  

Barnstable Police recieved the call for help and quickly dispatched officers to the scene.  Arriving officers were flagged down by the victims but the suspects were already long gone.  Investigating officers gathered descriptions and distinctive information regarding the crime and the stolen purse. 

A short while thereafter Barnstable Police received a seemingly unrelated call regarding a DMV (disabled motor vehicle) located near the intersection of Main Street and Yarmouth Road.

When Barnstable Patrolman Tom Leduc arrived to assist the stranded motorist he observed only a female driver; however it was the red truck that drew closer attention.  It was then Officer Leduc peered inside and spotted the distinctive handbag.  After a brief investigation Officer Leduc knew that he possibly had one of the purse thieves and a red diesle pickup truck that had just run out of fuel.  Officer Leduc also learned that the male passenger was making his way to the nearest establishment that offered the sale of diesle fuel.  Soon after, a BOLO (be on the lookout) was transmitted to all available Hyannis units informing and detailing that the suspect from the earlier purse snatching was possibly walking toward a nearby Hess station.

It gets better… moments later Sergeant Kevin Tynan noticed a young man dressed in a red hooded sweatshirt just ambling alongside the road.  He was holding a red plastic gas container. 

When Sergeant Tynan slowly cruised up along side the young man and casually asked if he could be of assistance, the young man explained that he was out of fuel and gratefully accepted the offered “lift,” only to find himself in handcuffs shortly thereafter.

Arrested and charged with the purse snatching was Wilson Perry lll, age 19, and Nikita Demelo-Eddy, age 20.  Both were currently staying at the Craigville Motel in West Barnstable.  Nikita Demelo-Eddy is a college student attending Cape Cod Community College.  Details regarding her course of study were not readily available.

As for Mr. Wilson Perry “The Third,” this apparently will be his first visit to Barnstable District Court on adult criminal charges.

According to Barnstable Police Sergeant Ben Baxter, officers were able to recover the purse, its contents, and most of the money.