Police: Mall Purse Snatcher Caught After Assaulting Woman

A man who allegedly punched a woman in the face during a purse snatching at the Westfield Annapolis Mall was apprehended with the help of witnesses on Saturday, Anne Arundel police said.

Aaron Lamont Gray, 26, of Grasonville, was arrested and charged with robbery, theft, making a false statement and assault, according to a police report. 

Police arrived at the mall Saturday morning after a 58-year-old woman reported that a man had stolen her purse while she was shopping at JCPenney. The suspect began speaking with her, then began hitting her, according to the report.

"The suspect then aggressively attacked her, punching her two times, one of them being in the face. The suspect then ripped her purse from her shoulder and fled the scene," according to the report.

A group of men saw the incident and chased the suspect while officers surrounded the area. The suspect was apprehended in the area of Jennifer Road without incident, according to the report. The victim was not seriously injured in the assault.