Bystanders foil purse snatching in Downtown Worcester

  • WORCESTER — Bystanders came to the aid of a woman and a Worcester man was arrested Monday after an attempted purse snatching on Main Street, according to the Worcester Police Department.

    Shortly after 11 a.m., officers responded to a report of a robbery in the 300 block of Main Street. Witnesses told officers that a man had struck a woman and tried to take her purse, police said.

    Bystanders intervened, chasing the man away as he fled south on Main Street.

    The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Jake Cross, allegedly approached the woman from behind, shoved her, and attempted to grab her purse multiple times, according to police. Officers searched the area and located Cross near 660 Main St. around 11:20 a.m. Cross was identified as the suspect based on video evidence of the incident, police said.

    Cross was arrested and faces charges of aggravated assault and battery on a victim over 60 and unarmed assault with intent to rob, according to police.

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