Police: Robbers Dragged Woman Through a Publix Parking Lot

A shopping trip to the 857 West Bay Drive Publix turned violent Thursday when a woman was robbed and attacked while trying to load groceries into the trunk of her Lexus.

According to the Largo Police Department, Amanda Kathleen Ellis, 28, went into the woman's car through the passenger seat and allegedly removed a purse from the car. This happened while the woman was trying to load her groceries, an arrest affidavit said.

According to police,  Ellis then walked to the "getaway vehicle" where her boyfriend, John Joseph Szymanski IV, 31, of Largo, was waiting in the driver's seat.

But the victim tried to grab her purse away from Ellis, who allegedly dragged the victim to the vehicle Szymanski was driving, causing injuries to the victim, according to an arrest affidavit.

Szymanski opened his car door and attempted to pull Ellis, the purse and the victim into the car. He "started pulling away in the vehicle and (the) victim was dragged for a short distance, but managed to get her purse back," according to a report.

The two suspects then drove off, leaving the victim injured, according to a report.

The parking lot incident occurred around 4:26 p.m. on Oct. 18. Szymanski and Ellis were arrested shortly before 11 p.m. on Oct. 18, according to arrest affidavits.

Szymanski confessed Ellis allegedly tried to take the victim's purse but denied any involvement. Ellis initially denied any involvement. After she was read her Miranda rights, said she had a confrontation with the victim and grabbed the victim's purse, according to an arrest affidavit.

Ellis was arrested on charges of kidnapping (commit felony), robbery (strong arm), and burglary (conveyance-unoccupied). She is at the Pinellas County Jail. Total bond was set at $130,000, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's online records.

Szymanski was arrested on the charges of kidnapping (commit felony), principal in the first degree (two counts), and violation of parole petit theft. He is at the Pinellas County Jail. Total bond was set at $120,000, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's online records.