Man held in purse snatching attempt

Crime Watch.jpg [1]

By BRIAN HAWKINS
sdneditor@bellsouth.net [2]

Police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with an attempted purse snatching at a west Starkville shopping center Friday afternoon.
Tradennis Terrell Neal, 21, of 305 Everglade Ave., Apt. 3B, was charged with attempted robbery. Neal’s bond was set at $15,000 during a Municipal Court hearing before Judge Rodney Faver Monday night.
In the incident, the female victim was shopping at the Dollar Tree store at the Starkville Crossing shopping center when she was approached by the suspect, who asked for money to help with expenses to get to another town.
When the woman “politely declined,” she continued with her shopping only to be approached again by the suspect in the parking lot, said SPD Lt. Mark Ballard.
The suspect attempted to grab the woman’s purse, but she was able to keep it tucked under her elbow and fight the suspect off, Ballard said.
The victim got into her car and immediately locked the door as the suspect fled on foot, Ballard said. She started her car and began to back her car out of the parking space, hitting another vehicle in the process, Ballard said. No one was injured in the incident, he added.
The woman then called police, and officers were on the scene within seconds and apprehended the suspect quickly based upon the description given. The suspect was later identified by the victim, Ballard said.