Chance Glimpse into Trunk Cracks Newport Missing Purse Case

A glimpse into the trunk of a towed car led to Portsmouth Police returning a purse and identification cards — and receiving stolen goods charges for 20-year-old Philip Van Horn Lansd Duckett III, of 470 Sandy Point Ave., Portsmouth.

Police said they were dispatched to Mello’s Towing on May 29 for a report of an unruly party. That party was Duckett, who reportedly was upset about the release of his car.

Duckett wanted to take his car, but police reminded him that he had to pay the towing company before it could be released and he agreed.

It was when he opened his trunk to remove clothing that police saw a purse. Duckett also reportedly had a Newport Police Traffic Aide jacket in his trunk he he said he didn’t know how it got there.

In regards to the purse, Duckett said he found it in Via Via pizza shop and tried to return it but was unsuccessful.

Police seized both the purse and jacket.

In the purse, police found two drivers licenses belonging to a man and woman with a romantic interest who reportedly were at the restaurant and forgit it hanging from the back of her chair.

During the investigation, police determined that the purse was taken during a fifteen minute time span after the woman left since she came back to ask about it and store employees couldn’t find it.

Police obtained a warrant for Duckett’s arrest on June 5 and he was picked up by Newport police the following day.

He was arraigned in Second Division District Court and released on $2,000 surety bail.