Two area sisters were arrested early Sunday after a short car chase with police that ended on Newton Avenue.

According to police, the chase began near the Blazing Star Trail on Front Street and ended in front of the Trailside Apartments on Newton Avenue.

The chase started after police reportedly received a call of a purse that had been stolen from Harold’s Bar, 1318 E. Main St., at 1:40 a.m. The woman who allegedly stole the purse, Roxanne Gallardo, 26, of Albert Lea, left west on Main Street with her sister Jessica Gallardo-Azompa, 32, of Bricelyn. Gallardo was the alleged driver.

Police stated a police officer found the sisters and attempted to pull them over at the curve of the Front Street extension, but Gallardo sped up to 40 mph and continued on East Front Street toward Frank Avenue. The woman reportedly did not stop for the stop sign at Front Street and Newton Avenue and attempted to make a left turn onto Newton Avenue before almost striking a light pole.

The car came to a stop near the Trailside Apartments entrance on Newton Avenue.

Police reportedly found burglary tools, bank cards, EBT cards and Social Security cards that didn’t belong to the women in the vehicle, along with two Coach purses.

Police stated Gallardo was arrested for numerous violations: fleeing police in a motor vehicle, obstructing the legal process, open bottle violation, possession of stolen property, theft, driving after revocation, a stop sign violation, speeding and no proof of insurance.

Gallardo-Azompa was arrested for an open bottle violation.