Suspect Arrested In Assault And Robbery Of 81 Year Old

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Police have made an arrest in a recent assault and robbery case where an 81-year-old woman was attacked and robbed after stepping off a SEPTA bus last month.

Douglas Holmes, 29, of the 79oo block of Pickering Avenue, was arrested Thursday, April 4 in connection with the March 20 incident, according to police.

Holmes turned himself into police at 5:12 p.m. Thursday and has since been charged with robbery, terroristic threats, forgery, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy, court documents show.

Holmes is set for his pre-trial conference on May 22, according to court records.

The incident occurred at about 3:15 p.m. on Monday, March 20 on the 8400 block of Thouron Avenue after the victim left the "H" SEPTA bus when the suspect pulled up in a dark sedan and attempted to steal the victim's bag.

The suspect was unable to steal the bag when the victim fought back, causing the suspect to flee toward the vehicle, police said.

However, a male in the vehicle yelled to the suspect, telling him to get the victim's bag and to hit the victim in the head, police said.

The suspect ran back to the victim, punched her in the face causing her to fall to the ground, stole the bag, got into the vehicle, and fled north on Thouron Avenue police said.

The victim suffered minor injuries in the incident, police said.

Image via Philadelphia Police