Police Seek Suspect Accused Of Stealing 84-Year-Old's Purse

SCOTT TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Scott Township Police are trying to identify a suspect accused of stealing a woman's purse.

Around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, an 84-year-old woman was coming out of the Shop 'n Save at Raceway Plaza. Her purse was sitting in the grocery cart.

Detective Shawn Arlet picks up the story from here.

"She was exiting the store and walking to her vehicle when an unknown white male approached her and stole her purse from her and fled on foot," he said.

Even at the age of 84, she tried her best to get her purse back.

"She did give chase for approximately, it looks about like 30 feet. She did run after him, but she was unsuccessful in catching him," Arlet said.

The suspect ran through Raceway Plaza in Scott Township, then onto Greentree Road towards the train tracks and Ducky's Car Wash.

Lynn and Donald DeVinsky reacted to the robbery.

"When you told me, I mean, I was shocked. I'm surprised by it, and it's just crazy. I mean, it's stupid," Lynn DeVinsky said.

"In these days, I'm not surprised at all because people just grab anything they can, especially with all the drug problems," Donald DeVinsky said.

If you watch people as they leave the grocery store, many times, ladies have their purse sitting in the cart, ripe for stealing, like Susan Anderson.

"It's terrible. You can't go to the grocery store. You can't go anywhere. You have to keep everything hanging on you ... [I had my purse sitting] in the cart, not good," she said.

Police are looking at video from the shopping plaza, hoping it will help the identify the suspect.

"We do have some other leads going on right now, but will take some time getting things back. We are hopeful we will catch the actor," Arlet said.

The 84-year-old victim is fine. If you saw something or know something, call Scott Township Police at (412) 276-7725.