Arrests Made in Canton Shaw's Purse Robberies

Originally published Feb. 9, 2017

CANTON, MA — Hours after releasing photos of suspects in a series of unarmed purse thefts at the Shaw's near Cobbs Corner, Canton and Stoughton police have made three arrests.

Ihor Havrliv, 30 and Alyshha Dellis, 28, both of Stoughton, were arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with larceny, robbery, and assault and battery on a person over 60, according to the Canton Police Department. A third person named Arthur Peoples was arrested by Stoughton police.

Police say the three were involved in a string of robberies that allegedly took place at the supermarket over the past two weeks. The following incidents took place, according to police:

• Jan. 29, 7:15 p.m. A woman was approached by another woman who demanded her purse. The victim refused to comply and ran back inside Shaw's before calling 911.
• Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m. -On February 06, at 6:30 p.m. in the evening, a woman was approached and assaulted by a man who then stole the victim’s purse.
• Feb. 8, 8:30 a.m. - A woman was approached by another woman, who demanded and then forcefully took her purse.

Stoughton police say the robberies were similar to those that occurred on Jan. 25 and Feb. 7 at the Stoughton Stop & Shop. In those incidents, Stoughton police were also looking for a two-person team that stole purses from elderly woman who were putting their groceries in their vehicle.

The three were identified thanks to an anonymous tip, police said.

In addition to the Canton charges, Harvrliv and Dellis faces two counts each of unarmed robbery, receiving stolen property over $250, and uttering a stolen credit card. Peoples will face charges related to the Canton incident and unrelated charges out of Stoughton.

Image via Canton and Stoughton Police Departments