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Stolen purse leads to showdown outside Utica convenience store

Suspect Charged in Utica Purse Theft

**Utica, NY** – On March 16th, Utica Police responded to a report of a stolen purse on the 1100 block of Schuyler St. The purse contained credit cards and other personal items.

During the investigation, authorities discovered the suspect attempted to use the victim’s identification at a convenience store to buy cigarettes. The store clerk did not complete the sale because the photo ID did not match the suspect.

This information was relayed to the victim, who informed the police. The Criminal Investigations Division took over, identifying the suspect. Later, the victim saw the suspect again near the store and retrieved some stolen property following an altercation.

On April 2nd, the suspect, Fonta Young, age 41, was apprehended and faces charges. These include two counts of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, and Petit Larceny.