A discarded purse led Ansonia police to a stolen car Thursday morning — but the three people inside the car were able to get away.
Ansonia police found a purse Thursday morning near Olson Drive, Lt. Andrew Cota said.
When police contacted the owner, they found out the purse — along with the car it was sitting in — were stolen in Waterbury Wednesday.
The white Nissan Maxima had been spotted by police that night in the north end of town, so officers went back to see if it was still there.
About 10:40 a.m. police officers saw the car pulled to the side of the road near the intersection of Hubbell Avenue and Seventh Street. When police approached the car, two men and woman jumped out and fled north toward Nolan Road.
Police chased them, but the people were able to get away.
They were last seen running through back yards in the area. Police searched the neighborhood with canine units, but were unable to locate the three people, Cota said.
The car was returned to the owner, Cota said, and did not appear to have any damage.
