Police Arrest Man Accused of Dragging Elderly Woman in Parking Lot to Steal Purse

A 32-year-old Providence man who police say is responsible for knocking an elderly woman to the ground and dragging her in a Stop and Shop parking lot to steal her purse is in custody.

And it’s thanks to the public who saw his picture posted by police on social media that led to the arrest of Matthew D. Daignault, 32, of Providence, Johnston police said.

“The Johnston Police Department would like to thank everyone who shared our post,” the department said. “It was because of you that within two hours of posting this to Facebook we received information on a person of interest.”

It turns out that Daignault had been arrested on an unrelated charge of domestic simple assault by Providence police. The booking photo above was taken “hours after the purse snatching,” police said.

Daignault allegedly attacked the woman at around 9:20 p.m. on Wednesday in the parking lot of the Stop and Shop on Commerce Way.

The victim suffered injuries from the assault.