Kent County sheriff's deputies arrested seven teens suspected of stealing purses in parking lots. The driver of a stolen Jeep crashed into police vehicle attempting to flee, police said. (Photo provided by Kent County Sheriff's Department)

KENT COUNTY, MI – Sheriff’s deputies early Tuesday, March 7, arrested seven teens suspected of multiple purse snatchings in Kent County.

Five of the suspects were arrested in a stolen car after the driver crashed into a Kent County sheriff’s patrol car and a detective’s car.

The incident began just after 2 a.m. when a sheriff’s sergeant, on patrol near 28th Street SE and I-96, spotted a stolen vehicle that had been tied to a string of purse snatchings.

The vehicle was found at a nearby hotel. Additional sheriff’s deputies, along with a detective, responded and started toward the stolen Jeep.

The driver of the Jeep tried to flee in the vehicle, striking the police cars. Police arrested five in the Jeep and later arrested two in a hotel room.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Eric Brunner said multiple purse snatchings have occurred in Kent County and have been investigated by the Metro Pattern Crimes Task Force, or MPACT.

Purse snatchers have waited in a vehicle in parking lots and targeted older women who were alone as they left stores. The purse snatchers would get out and steal purses from women’s arms or shopping carts, he said.

Police arrested five suspects in the Jeep and two others in a hotel room where police recovered stolen purses and other stolen property, including a handgun.

Police expect to meet with Kent County prosecutors to determine charges.

“It is believed that this group may be related to other purse snatchings within our area,” Brunner said.

Sheriff’s deputies are working with other agencies on the investigation. The detective whose vehicle was struck is assigned to MPACT.

Two of the suspects are females, ages 16 and 19, from Grand Rapids. The others are males: two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old from Grand Rapids, a 17-year-old from Gaines Township and an 18-year-old from Plainfield Township.

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