Accused Purse-Snatcher Surrenders to Police

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An Essex man turned himself into police Wednesday for allegedly robbing a woman while she was putting her pizza in her vehicle, police say.

The theft in the Pizza Hut parking lot at 5000 Ritchie Highway South in Brooklyn Park was captured on video.

According to Anne Arundel County Police, the 58-year-old victim was placing her purchase inside her car Sunday afternoon when Eric Rondell Downey, 36, of 32 Ramona Circle in Essex approached her and implied he had a weapon in his waistband. As Downey reached into the vehicle to take the victim’s purse, she bit the suspect’s hand and struggled with him as he attempted to take the purse, however, Downey was able to get the purse.

Police say he then ran to his vehicle, which was parked on the same lot, and drove off on 10th Avenue toward Morgan Road.

The victim was not injured in this incident.

Downey has been charged with robbery, second-degree assault, theft less than $1,000 and stealing another’s credit card. He is being held on $500,000 bond at the Jennifer Road Detention Center.

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