Crime & Safety
Witness Helps Catch Suspected Purse Snatcher, Deputies Say
The suspect knocked down a woman as she left work Saturday in Bradenton and ran off with her purse before a witness caught and detained him until deputies arrived.
A witness helped detain a suspected purse snatcher until Manatee County Sheriff's deputies could arrest him, authorities said Saturday.
According to the sheriff's office, the suspect approached a woman who had just finished her shift at work around 4:30 p.m. and was walking to her car in the 6000 block of 14th Street West.
Deputies say the suspect, 23-year-old James E. Willey, knocked the woman down and grabbed her purse, then fled toward the Bayshore Gardens condos.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A witness chased after Willey and caught and detained him just inside the entrance to the condominium complex until deputies arrived and arrested him. Willey is charged with strong arm robbery.
The victim suffered minor abrasions on both of her arms, deputies said.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Sign up for the Bradenton Patch email newsletter to get our top headlines delivered straight to your inbox so you won't miss a thing!
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
