WV KNIFE AND GUN CLUB - Parkersburg Policeman Kills Get-Away Driver In Purse Snatching

(01/16/2014)
UPDATE - It turns out that the man shot and killed by a Parkersburg policeman was the driver of a "get-a-way" car, but not the man who was involved in a purse snatching at the Grand Central Mall.

State Police say Steven Lewis Pfalzgraf, 24, of Parkersburg, the driver of the car, died after reportedly dragging an officer across the pavement, attempting to stop him.

The two robbery suspects turned themselves in. They have been identified as John Ragalyi and his wife, Jenna Ragalyi, of New Matamoras OH.

Police say John Ragalyi stole a purse from a woman in the Grand Central Mall food court Tuesday afternoon.

Charges are forthcoming against the Ragalyis'.

Authorities say Ragalyi got into a car being driven by Steven Lewis Pfalzgraf.

In the process of chasing after the car, police says one Parkersburg Police officer was dragged across the pavement.

Police say Pfalzgraf then drove the car towards the other Parkersburg Police officer, at which point that officer shot Pfalzgraf.

ORIGINAL STORY - An alleged robbery suspect, a purse snatcher, was shot and killed outside a store at the Grand Central Mall Tuesday afternoon by a Parkersburg police officer.

Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin said, "The detectives tried to stop the individual, and when one of the detectives reached into the car to remove the key from the ignition, he was drug alongside the car. The other detective engaged with his department-issued weapon and shot the suspect."

Martin said the officer drug by the car was taken to Camden Clark Medical Center for treatment.

Police say two accomplices, a man and woman, turned themselves in.

In a press release, State Police First Sgt. Michael Baylous said a man took a woman's purse in the mall's food court just before 1 p.m. Baylous said there were police officers in the mall in Wood County for a training session.

Baylous said the man ran outside and jumped into an awaiting car at the back of the mall. A police officer approached and Baylous said the car took off with the officer holding on.

"He was able to free himself away from the vehicle but then the vehicle swerved and headed toward another officer and that officer felt threatened and fired off a shot and the driver died."