Purse-snatching on Black Friday turns into police chase in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids police said a man tried to snatch a purse during Black Friday shopping and then led officers on a chase.

Officers were called to Walmart, 3601 29th Ave. SW, around 6:20 a.m. Friday after a store employee and fellow shoppers confronted the man. The owner of the purse had been distracted when the man grabbed it from her cart and tried to hide it under his coat, police said.

Sgt. Robert Collins said when the man realized he had been caught, he tossed the purse into someone else's cart and ran for the door. When the first officer arrived on scene, several people who had chased after the suspect pointed out his vehicle as it was leaving.

Collins said a "slow-speed pursuit" ensued, with the suspect going north on Edgewood Road SW. He turned west at 20th Avenue and then north onto Wiley Boulevard SW before stopping on his own at 16th Avenue SW.

Craig Mills, 48, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree theft, operating while intoxicated, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, careless driving, driving with a suspended license, driving the wrong way on a highway and no insurance.

Additionally, Mills was cited for open container for having a can of beer in his vehicle, Collins said.

Mills was taken to the Linn County Jail.