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.
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Surveillance footage shows a woman being dragged by attempted purse-snatchers.
