Sunday, March 24, 2002

PTC police nab purse snatchers at Kroger Wednesday morning

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City Police nabbed two purse snatching suspects Wednesday morning who stole a wallet from a 70-year-old Tyrone woman shopping at the Kroger on Ga. Highway 74 north.

Alton Barker, 44, of Union City and James Andrews, 62, of Atlanta, are both charged with aggravated purse snatching since the victim was over 65 years old, according to Peachtree City Police Chief Jim Murray.

Both men have extensive criminal records and are being investigated for forging checks at the same Kroger store, Murray said. They may also be responsible for other purse snatching incidents in the county, including a number of incidents at the Fayette Pavilion, he added.

The victim was shopping with her purse on her arm when Barker reached in, grabbed the wallet and tossed it to Andrews, Murray said. Andrews eventually fled the scene in a car, leaving Barker behind, the chief said.

Officers were able to respond to the scene quickly and arrest Barker while Tyrone police assisted in apprehending Andrews soon after the incident, Murray said. No one was hurt, he added.

Murray said the incident is proof that serious criminals are making their way to Peachtree City, but he felt confident that the judicial system will make an example of them when the cases go to court.

Murray added that the quick response was crucial to making the arrests. The timing was particularly key because officers were performing special duties in the area and were nearby when needed to respond.



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