Lawrence Co. Purse Snatchers Appear In Court
NEW CASTLE (KDKA) - A couple from New Castle who allegedly preyed on the elderly appeared in court Monday. They are accused of stealing an 82-year-old woman's purse.
According to police, the couple targeted the elderly women outside of a New Castle pizza shop last month.
However, the women refused to become victims and fought back.
Jerry Lee Brown Jr., 27, said nothing as he walked into court Monday.
He waived all charges to court and faces a formal arraignment later this summer.
His partner, 21-year-old Tatiana Vargas, was arrested at the hearing and charged with additional charges.
According to police, Brown and Vargas spotted two elderly women walking into Pizza Man's Pizza on South Jefferson Street.
"The guy jumped out of the car and grabbed the lady's purse," Roxane DeAngelo said.
As the 82-year-old woman held her bag, her 89-year-old friend went into action.
According to police, the man wrestled the purse away, but not before being whacked by the friend's cane several times.
The 89-year-old then began banging on the trunk of the getaway car, which left a few dents.
Police later arrested them at Neshannock Village, where officers also located the dented car they were driving.
Brown was wanted on a slew of warrants including a recent home invasion in New Castle, in which an 84-year-old woman was roughed up.
In addition, Brown faces four more outstanding warrants in North Carolina.
Both Brown and Vargas remain in jail.
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