EARLVILLE – The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men for breaking into an Earlville supermarket and stealing a Norwich woman’s purse Tuesday, reporting investigators recovered more than half of the $4,800 in stolen items.

Sherriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. said the two men forced their way into the Little M store between the late night and early morning hours of Monday and Tuesday.

The Sheriff’s Office reported the men stole approximately $3,000 in cigarettes, $200 in beer, approximately $1,400 in cash, and various other items.

“The defendants were also arrested for stealing a pocketbook belonging to the clerk at a convenience store in the Town of Norwich on March 28. The defendants acted together to distract the employee and steal her pocketbook containing her cell phone and debit card,” said Lt. Richard Cobb.