Two men were arrested in connection with a Lorain purse snatching on Monday, during a period of time when the city had experienced five robberies "of this nature" in a roughly two-week period, according to the Lorain Police Department.
Jeffery Garcia-Aponte had approached a woman who was loading her groceries into her car at Apples Grocery Store on 1051 Meister Rd., police said. He asked for money and while she was giving it to him, Garcia-Aponte allegedly grabbed her purse and ran.
Citizens who witnessed the robbery chased Garcia-Aponte until he entered a staged vehicle that was occupied and waiting, according to police. Another citizen followed this vehicle to the 900 block of West 14th Street and informed the police of its location.
When officers responded, Frankie Cruz-Martinez fled on foot as officers chased and apprehended him, police said.
Cruz-Martinez was also arrested in connection with the robbery, police said.
Evidence linking Garcia-Aponte to the robbery was found in the 900 block of West 14th Street, in the block where he was detained, according to authorities.
Some of the prior purse robbery cases are still open and police ask anyone with information on them to contact the Lorain Police Detective Bureau at (440) 204-2105.
Tips may also be given anonymously on the Tipster Hotline at (440) 204-2555, submitted by downloading a "Lorain Tips" smart phone app or through Lorain's tip411 webpage, according to police.
