Comment #2

justxploring — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:02:23 GMT

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Comment #1

konane — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:46:29 GMT

Staging an 'accident' then robbing or carjacking is an old one. Guess an elder proved an easy target. Very sad.

Original Blog Entry: Thieves Crash Into Woman, 74, To Steal Lottery Winnings

truesee — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 12:58:16 GMT

NEW PORT RICHEY -- A 74-year-old woman went into Publix on Wednesday morning to cash in her lottery money. Then, according to authorities, three people followed her out of the store, rear-ended her car and took off with her purse -- and her $580 winnings.

The woman, who is from New Port Richey, was driving on DeCubellis Road when the black pickup truck crashed into the back of her car, according to a Pasco County Sheriff's Office report.

The driver motioned for her to pull over to the shoulder, which she did. The woman got out of her car to check the damage on her bumper and noticed that the three people in the pickup truck -- two men and a woman -- looked familiar, the report said. She realized she had seen them moments earlier at the Publix. Then one of the men opened her passenger door, stole her purse and then they all took off, according to the report.

In investigating the crime, authorities viewed video from Publix and identified the thief as Jonathan Carpenter, 36, of New Port Richey. He was arrested Thursday on a charge of vehicle burglary. According to his arrest report, he confessed to taking the woman's purse -- though he said the car was struck unintentionally.

Kevin Doll, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said the case is still under investigation and gave no information on the other two suspects. Carpenter is being held in the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $17,013 bail

Erin Sullivan

Tamba BayTimes

Staff writer

2:21:28 PM on February 13, 2009

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