Suspected Gun Toting Purse Snatcher Nabbed In Marietta

MARIETTA, GA -- A man who allegedly knocked a woman to the ground and stole her purse on Wednesday was caught by police less than 30 minutes later by several Marietta and Cobb County law enforcement personnel. Police received a call around 12:20 pm that a man had snatched the purse's at gunpoint in the parking lot of 2150 Delk Road. While police were en route, dispatchers provided multiple updates including descriptions from witnesses and the direction the suspect left.

Several surrounding jurisdictions were notified, and Melvin Ward, 47, of Smyrna, was apprehended about two miles away from the scene of the crime, at 835 South Cobb Drive.

Ward was booked into the Cobb County jail on armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charges, all felonies. He was also charged with one misdemeanor count of battery visible harm.

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