GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Police said that a Wellford man took a purse from a funeral home during the visitation for a former police chief, then stole a car from the parking lot.

An officer working security at former Greenville Police Chief David Bridges' visitation Saturday saw a suspicious man get into a car and erratically drive away, police said. They said that at the same time, a woman reported her purse had been stolen from the funeral home.

Police said that the officer followed the car, which crashed into a light pole a short distance away.

Investigators said they linked the stolen purse to the wrecked car, and charged 48-year-old Lucien Howard with burglary, grand larceny, driving under the influence and other charges.

According to an incident report, Lucien said told an officer that he had found some keys and took the car so he could go visit his brother.