purse snatching

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Dec. 6, 2000 10 PM

A Brundidge man has been charged with a robbery that reportedly took place in the Wal-Mart parking lot Friday night.

Frederick D. Barrow, 25, was arrested Tuesday by the Troy Police Department and was charged with robbery, third degree in connection with the Dec. 1 incident, Chief Anthony Everage said.

According to information released by the Troy Police Department, the victim, who was at her car, was approached by the suspect at approximately 8 p.m. The suspect reportedly demanded the victim’s purse, but was not successful in the attempt and he fled the scene in a red car.

The Brundidge Police Department later gave the TPD information about a possible identification of the suspect involved in the incident at Wal-Mart.

A subsequent investigation led to Barrow being identified and arrested.

Barrow was placed in the Pike County Jail under a $50,000 bond.

Sgt. Benny Scarbrough, public information officer for the TPD, said the Wal-Mart incident does not appear to be related to another robbery that reportedly occurred earlier that same day.

Just before 5 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to a robbery call at the Family Dollar Store on North Three Notch Street in Troy.

At approximately 4:49 p.m., an unknown suspect approached an employee outside the business in what police are describing as a "strong-arm-type" robbery.

According to information released by Everage, the employee was leaving the store to make a bank deposit at the time of the incident.

The suspect who was described as being six feet tall and about 200 pounds, left the scene on foot.

Police are looking for a man with long, thick, black hair, brown eyes and wearing a green Army jacket and black jeans.

No injuries were reported in either incident.

Still, Troy police are encouraging people to take precautions against holiday theft and robbery.

"We urge people to use good sense, be aware of their surroundings and to be careful and cautious," Scarbrough said. "These things may not prevent unfortunate events from happening, but they won’t make things easier for would-be criminals either."

Scarbrough said shoppers should seek to park in well-lit areas and should be mindful about locking their homes and cars and putting packages out of plain sight.

"When people go shopping, they need to put their packages in their trunk if they plan to be away from their vehicle," Scarbrough said. "It also helps to shop in familiar areas. And as far as home burglary goes, locked doors and windows are important to prevent theft of property.

"Obviously these things won’t prevent crime, but they could go a long way to deter criminals and to help citizens tell when things look suspiscious so they can take appropriate action."