Fall River Man Charged With Stealing Elderly Woman’s Purse

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — Fall River Police have arrested a city man for the unarmed robbery of an elderly woman.

Police said that on April 10 at about 5:15 p.m., a 76-year-old woman was robbed of her purse while on her way home from a Stafford Road convenience store.

According to police, the male suspect approached her and removed her purse from her push cart and then ran off on foot.

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After reviewing surveillance footage, Detective Luis Vertentes learned the suspect had actually followed the victim from the store. He was able to identify the suspect as James Smith, 32, of Fall River.

Smith was arrested at his home on Wednesday, April 19, without incident, police said.

He faces a charge of unarmed robbery of a person over the age of 60, and was also arrested on an outstanding warrant.