Police: Men stole purse from woman, 88, but were nabbed soon
Two men face up to 50 years in prison for allegedly snatching an 88-year-old woman’s purse, dragging her for eight feet in front of a southeast Lincoln restaurant Tuesday evening.
As for the ill-gotten gains?
All of $13.
The woman got back her blue Prada alligator-skin purse worth about $450.
And 21-year-old Bryan Malone and 18-year-old Jamil Hatcliff got arrested.
In court Wednesday afternoon, the two went before Judge James Foster separately on a robbery charge that carries the possibility of one to 50 years.
Foster set Malone’s percentage bond at $40,000 and Hatcliff’s at $25,000, at Deputy County Attorney James Rocke’s request.
Rocke said Malone is a habitual criminal with four felony convictions. He got out of prison a little more than six months ago.
Police say just before 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, the woman was entering the Venue, at 4111 Pioneer Woods Drive, when someone began pulling her backward by her purse.
She fell to the ground and told police she was dragged about eight feet, scraping her hands and arms and damaging her glasses.
When she was able to get the purse strap off her arm, the robber took off with it, running to a nearby gas station.
Officer Katie Flood said the owner of the Venue ran after the purse snatcher as employees helped the woman.
Police got a description of the man, the getaway driver, the purple minivan and the license plate number.
By 9:10 p.m., police had gone to Malone’s residence at 1731 N. 56th St. and found the minivan. As an officer waited for other officers to get there, Malone and Hatcliff came out, court records say.
Police arrested Hatcliff, of 3205 Starr St. Malone ran into the house, but was arrested soon after.
According to court records, police believe the two talked about stealing a purse or wallet that day to get money.
But they found only $13 in the purse, then dumped it.
Police found it in an apartment dumpster 1½ miles from Malone’s home, court records say.
Reach Lori Pilger at 473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. Hilary Kindschuh contributed to this story.
As for the ill-gotten gains?
All of $13.
The woman got back her blue Prada alligator-skin purse worth about $450.
And 21-year-old Bryan Malone and 18-year-old Jamil Hatcliff got arrested.
In court Wednesday afternoon, the two went before Judge James Foster separately on a robbery charge that carries the possibility of one to 50 years.
Foster set Malone’s percentage bond at $40,000 and Hatcliff’s at $25,000, at Deputy County Attorney James Rocke’s request.
Rocke said Malone is a habitual criminal with four felony convictions. He got out of prison a little more than six months ago.
Police say just before 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, the woman was entering the Venue, at 4111 Pioneer Woods Drive, when someone began pulling her backward by her purse.
She fell to the ground and told police she was dragged about eight feet, scraping her hands and arms and damaging her glasses.
When she was able to get the purse strap off her arm, the robber took off with it, running to a nearby gas station.
Officer Katie Flood said the owner of the Venue ran after the purse snatcher as employees helped the woman.
Police got a description of the man, the getaway driver, the purple minivan and the license plate number.
By 9:10 p.m., police had gone to Malone’s residence at 1731 N. 56th St. and found the minivan. As an officer waited for other officers to get there, Malone and Hatcliff came out, court records say.
Police arrested Hatcliff, of 3205 Starr St. Malone ran into the house, but was arrested soon after.
According to court records, police believe the two talked about stealing a purse or wallet that day to get money.
But they found only $13 in the purse, then dumped it.
Police found it in an apartment dumpster 1½ miles from Malone’s home, court records say.
Reach Lori Pilger at 473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. Hilary Kindschuh contributed to this story.
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