Woman Pumping Gas in Beltsville Catches Sneaky Couple Trying to Swipe Purse: Police

BELTSVILLE, MD — A man and a woman have been arrested in connection with a September incident that left a woman hospitalized when she caught the pair attempting to steal from her car as she was pumping gas, according to a report from the Prince George's County Sheriff.

Police arrested Horacio Silva of College Park and Sabrina Strouse of Edgewater on a warrant for robbery obtained by county police on Sept. 16. The warrant states that on Sept. 14, Silva and Strouse saw a woman filling up her vehicle in the 10900 block of Baltimore Avenue in Beltsville.

"According to the warrant, Strouse reached through the passenger window, unlocked the door, and walked away," the report states. "Seconds later, Silva approached the vehicle, opened the door and took the victims’ belongings. When the female victim saw what was happening and attempted to retrieve her purse, Silva elbowed the victim and kept the purse as both fled the scene."

The woman was sent to the hospital with injuries. There was no word on her condition.

Sheriff's deputies located the suspects in the 9100 block of Baltimore Avenue in College Park on Sept. 28, and they were arrested without incident.

In addition to the robbery charge, Silva and Strouse face charges of con-robbery, assault first degree, assault second degree, rogue and vagabond, and theft less than $1,000.

Image via Prince George's County Sheriff