Boardman police investigate purse snatchings

BOARDMAN — Township police are investigating two purse snatching robberies that occurred within about an hour this morning.

The first occurred about 10 a.m. when a female employee at Purpose Money, U.S. Route 224, arrived at the business to open it. A man in his 20s, with facial hair, about 5-foot-11-inches tall and weighing between 160 and 190 pounds approached her and grabbed her purse.

The woman fought with the man, said Chief Patrick Berarducci, but he took off running with her purse.

A police dog from the Mahoning County Sheriff’s office assisted officers in tracking the man, but he wasn’t apprehended.

About 11 a.m., another man in his 20s about 6-feet tall and weighing about 175 pounds was captured on store video at Rulli Brothers, South Avenue. He followed a woman shopper out of the store, grabbed her purse from her shopping cart and fled.

Police are looking for both men.