Two Arrested After Attempted Purse Snatching

Two people were charged with theft at 12:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, after trying to steal a purse from a customer at in the Brunswick Square Mall.

Before the arrest, one of those suspects was first chased down by the victim, and then by a police officer and an off-duty Corrections Officer.

According to police, Christopher Courter, 29, of Sayreville, tried to take a purse off the back of a chair at the book store, but dropped it after the victim caught up with him and grabbed him. He left the store with Rachel Barocas, 24, of Edison, and drove away in a silver vehicle onto Route 18.

Later, Detective Donald Carruth, who was working a security detail on Squire Street as a result of Hurricane Irene, saw the suspects’ vehicle on Main Street heading toward Sayreville.  He initiated a motor vehicle stop and Courter exited his vehicle.  He failed to follow Detective Carruth’s instructions and a brief foot chase occurred.  Detective Carruth was able to catch Courter and with the assistance of Sean Belus, an off-duty Middlesex County Corrections Officer, they were able to take Courter into custody. 

Courter was charged with theft and obstruction and Barocas was charged with theft.  Both were taken to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000.00 bail.

Patrolman Chris Farrace and Patrolman Reggie Wright also responded to the incident.