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For Immediate Release - Aug 4, 2011

Re: Serial purse snatcher nabbed by Jeffco deputies

Jefferson County, Co. – On July 27, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of the King Soopers located at 9800 W. Belleview Ave. in reference to a theft of a purse. The purse had been stolen from the shopping cart of a woman shopping in the store, and the suspect had left in a black Isuzu Rodeo. An alert Jeffco investigator was in the area and saw the Isuzu traveling north on S. Kipling Pkwy. Deputies were able to locate and stop the Isuzu at Kipling and U.S. Highway 285. The suspect, Timothy Allen Browne (dob 092667), a recent DOC parolee, was arrested without incident. Deputies learned that the Isuzu had been reported stolen in Wheat Ridge. Subsequent searches of the Isuzu, and the motel room that Browne was living in, uncovered stolen property tied to six other reported purse thefts in Jefferson County, Lakewood, Broomfield and Arvada. The thefts all occurred when the victims left their purses unattended in shopping carts, or when they were with their carts, but distracted with their shopping. All of the thefts occurred in King Soopers and Safeway stores where Browne appeared to have been targeting the elderly, as the majority of victims were senior citizens. He would later use the credit cards, committing identity theft as well. Browne is being held without bond at the Jefferson County jail on parole violation and aggravated motor vehicle theft. Charges in reference to the purse thefts are pending. His next court date is scheduled for August 12, 2011.   Timothy Allen Browne (dob 092667) Follow us on Twitter at @jeffcosheriffco

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