Elderly Customer Robbed in Grocery Store Parking Lot

CHURCHTON, MD — An elderly woman was mugged in the parking lot of Christopher’s Fine Foods in Churchton, but observant customers helped police find two Shady Side men charged in the crime.

The victim, a 75-year-old woman, had shopped in the store at 5570 Shady Side Road Saturday morning and was attacked from behind as she walked to her car, according to Anne Arundel County Police. One of the suspects -- Alfred Gannon Sugg, 20, of Shady Side – reportedly pushed the woman to the ground and stole her purse.

Sugg then jumped into a Volvo sedan driven by Eric James MacKay, 22, of Shady Side, and the pair fled the scene.

Numerous witnesses from the store who saw Sugg wandering around inside, speaking with various customers, helped identify the suspected robber. Police say Sugg also spoke with the victim in the store before robbing her outside the business.

Officers stopped the getaway vehicle about eight hours later on Mayo Road in Edgewater.

The suspects were taken into custody and additional evidence was found that linked both men to the crime, police say.

Alleged getaway driver MacKay was charged with robbery, second-degree assault, theft and accessory after statute (robbery).

The accused robber, Sugg, is charged with robbery, second-degree assault and theft.

»Photo of robbery suspects Alfred Sugg and Eric MacKay, both of Shady Side, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police