Nashua Robbery Suspect Chased Down By Officers

MANCHESTER, NH — A Nashua man was chased down by police officers in Manchester Monday after he robbed a woman outside a convenience store, authorities said. Darren Benton, 40, grabbed $46 from the woman but was arrested minutes after the crime, police said. He was held in custody pending an arraignment in Manchester District Court Tuesday.

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Police said Benton robbed the woman as she walked out of C & D Convenience Monday at about noon.

"The victim walked out of the store when the suspect approached her and attempted to rip her purse from
her neck," Manchester police Lieutenant Brian O’Keefe said in a statement. "She clutched her purse as he broke the strap, but she never let go of it. The suspect was able to take the $46.00 dollars she was holding in her hand."

Benton fled toward Spruce Street while the woman flagged down a police officer who was nearby at the time, O'Keefe said. Officers were dispatched to the area and they spotted Benton leaving a Concord Street residence and arrested him on the spot, O'Keefe said.

Police said Benton was identified by the victim from his camouflage fishing hat and blue shorts he was wearing at the time of the robbery.

Photo: Darren Benton. (Credit: Nashua Police Department)