A woman in Covington was nearly dragged to death by attempted purse-snatchers.
The incident began when the 51-year-old woman was putting away groceries at a Walmart in Covington. Without warning, a passenger in a vehicle grabbed her purse and the woman got entangled.
Captain Ken Malcolm of the Covington Police department says the woman was dragged about 300 yards before finally freeing herself.
"She was entangled in her purse, in the straps of her purse," said Malcolm. "She couldn't let go."
Minutes later and about six miles away, the maroon Ford Fusion entered Interstate 20, prompting a high-speed police chase. The top speed reached 127 miles per hour.
At one point, the driver caused an accident. Thirty-five miles later, he exited in downtown Atlanta and was boxed in by Georgia State Patrol and Covington police on MLK Drive. The driver was dragged out with his head to the ground, feet to the air. His accomplice was also hauled away.
"She's blowing a kiss, I guess, at the driver and telling him that she loves him," said Malcolm.
Police arrested 29-year-old Robert Chastain and 25-year-old Kristin Callaway, both from Missouri.
"She made reference that they compared themselves to characters in ‘Natural Born Killers,'" said Malcolm.
That 1995 Oliver Stone-directed movie featured a couple who embark on a cross-country murderous crime spree.
Police say they found purses and other items in the stolen car the couple was driving. Authorities suspect the couple was on a month-long crime spree spanning several states, with confirmed cases in Missouri, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
"Same basic M.O., traveling to a Walmart, riding through the parking lot looking for an opportunity to steal a purse," said Malcolm.
Chastain and Callaway are being held at the Newton County Jail and will make their first court appearance on Friday.
A Covington police officer suffered a broken finger when he dragged Chastain out of the stolen car, authorities said.
The woman who was dragged was hospitalized and is recovering at home.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:00:39 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:28:28 GMT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad today released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line, in the wake of the May 17 derailment
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad today released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line, in the wake of the May 17 derailment
Sunday, May 19 2013 4:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 20:05:22 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:37 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:37:14 GMT
Commuters are bracing for a difficult trip around southwest Connecticut and to New York City beginning Monday as workers repair the Metro-North commuter rail line crippled by a derailment and crash.
Commuters are bracing for a difficult trip around southwest Connecticut and to New York City beginning Monday as workers repair the Metro-North commuter rail line crippled by a derailment and crash.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:14:07 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:56:41 GMT
The NYPD says a 14-year-old girl was shot and killed on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on board the Q-6 bus on Sutphin Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard
The NYPD says a 14-year-old girl was shot and killed on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on board the Q-6 bus on Sutphin Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:24 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:24:33 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Surveillance footage shows a woman being dragged by attempted purse-snatchers.
