Police take custody of suspects in snatchings

Another woman also is suspected in the purse snatchings.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Three people suspected in a series of purse snatchings in Lawrence County have been arrested.
New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone said a city officer pulled over a blue Geo Metro at 8:42 p.m. Saturday on Cascade Street after recognizing it as one described at several purse snatchings in the area.
One of the occupants, Jacob Ryhal, 18, of Rear Franklin Avenue, New Castle, was wanted on an unrelated police warrant, Sansone said. The warrant details were not available.
Ryhal, Duane Russel Peterson, 22, of Erie Street in Sagertown, Pa., and Kelly Wolf, 27, who police said has two addresses, Garden Avenue, Grove City, and South Lake Road, Mercer, were each charged with robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit theft and criminal conspiracy to commit simple assault.
Another woman also is a suspect, but no charges have been filed, Sansone said.
Ryhal, Peterson and Wolf were arraigned before District Justice David Rishel and are in Lawrence County Jail after each failed to post $125,000 bond.
Collaboration
The charges stem from a purse snatching at the Jameson South parking lot July 12. Sansone said they are suspects in at least two other purse snatchings in New Castle.
Neshannock police say charges are pending against Peterson and Wolf in a purse snatching at Giant Eagle on Wilmington Road on July 11.
Peterson, Wolf and Ryhal also are wanted by Shenango Township police in purse snatchings at Giant Eagle on New Butler Road. Police said purses were taken from shoppers inside the grocery store July 10 and July 11. Both victims were distracted by someone asking for directions to another section of the store when their purses were taken. Police said they were later notified that a credit card from one victim's purse was used at a gas station in New Castle.
Union Township police also are looking at the trio concerning purse snatching in their jurisdiction.
Township Police Chief Joe Lombardo said two women took a purse from a patron at Shop 'N' Save on U.S. Route 224 on July 11. One woman asked for directions while the second took the woman's purse from her grocery cart, he said. Lombardo said another purse snatching was reported at Wal-Mart, but he had no details.