Police probing home burglaries

FLORENCE — Three residents and a vehicle in the 1700 block of Beckman Drive were broken into early Monday morning while the homeowners were at home asleep, police said.

Florence police detective Brad Holmes said the burglaries occurred between midnight and 4 a.m.

He said at one residence, the homeowners were awaken and saw the burglar inside the house.

Holmes said the burglar is described as a white male, 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall.

"They said he was clean shaven and had shaggy hair," Holmes said.

He said the burglar is accused of taking jewelry and electronics including televisions and a laptop.

"At the house where the homeowners were awaken, the burglar was scared off and he dropped everything he was trying to take," Florence police detective Lt. Mike Holt said.

Holmes said two homeowners discovered their homes had been burglarized when they woke up Monday morning.

He said in most cases the burglar got inside the houses through unlocked doors.

Anyone knowing anything about the burglaries is asked to call Florence police at 256-768-2728 or Shoals Crime Stoppers at 256-386-8685.

Police search for purse snatcher

FLORENCE — Authorities are looking for a man accused of dragging a woman Friday night after he stole her purse.

The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. in the Wal-Mart parking lot, police said.

Florence police detective Justin Wright said the 46-year-old woman said a black man wearing a yellow shirt grabbed her purse while she was trying to put it in the truck of her car.

"She tried to get the purse back as the man was trying to get away," Wright said. "When he got to his car, he got in and slammed the door on her hand and then when he pulled out of the parking space, he dragged her several feet before she feel free of the car.

Wright said the woman was taken to Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.

The car was described as a gold or brown four-door.

Wright said the woman reported there was a second man in the car when they drove off.

Anyone knowing anything about the incident is asked to contact Florence police at 256-768-2728 or Shoals Crime Stoppers at 256-386-8685.