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Suncoast Pinellas News

Robbery Suspects Arrested After Chase

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK, The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 30, 2008

PINELLAS PARK - A drive-by purse snatching sparked a wild police chase Saturday evening, ending in the arrest of two robbery suspects.

Bobbie Winkelmann, 50, was leaving the Wal-Mart Supercenter, 8001 U.S. Highway19 N., around 8:30 p.m. when she was robbed in a drive-by.

Winkelmann, of Clearwater, was walking to her car with her adult daughter and 4-year-old granddaughter when a 1998 red Jeep Cherokee pulled up beside Winkelmann and the passenger, Brandie Fulton, grabbed her purse. Winkelmann was knocked to the ground and received several scratches but no major injuries, Pinellas Park Police Lt. Paul Andrews said.

Although its owner didn't know it at the time, the Jeep had been stolen in St. Petersburg. After grabbing Winkelmann's purse, the driver, Anthony Debose, 18, drove off with Fulton, 29, heading north on U.S. 19 where police units spotted the couple. The police tried to stop them, but the couple continued west on Bryan Dairy Road.

Dubose hit the curb after passing through the Belcher Road intersection, blowing out two tires on the Jeep while heading west.

Debose continued west on Bryan Dairy, then headed south on Longwood Drive, using Bardmoor Place to cut back to Starkey Road. Police again tried to block his car while it was southbound on Starkey. Debose rammed Sgt. Scott Golczewski's cruiser three times, spinning it out. Golczewski received minor injuries to his back.

Debose's Jeep started spinning, hit another cruiser and both ended up in a ditch near 100th Avenue and Starkey, Andrews said. No one was injured. Debose and Fulton complied with officers and were taken into custody.

Debose and Fulton are charged with strong arm robbery and grand theft auto. Debose is charged with aggravated fleeing and evading an officer, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle on an officer and reckless driving. Fulton had a loaded handgun magazine on her but no gun.

Winkelmann's purse was recovered.

Debose and Fulton are awaiting processing at the Pinellas County Jail.

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